Heat-Loving Tomatoes

Tomatoes for Humid Climates

• The bright pinkish-red Arkansas Traveler, which originates from the often-humid environment of the Ozark Mountains, produces bountiful yields in hot temperatures, as do other midsized varieties such as the Heatwave II, which grows even at temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The Tennessee-native Aunt Ruby's Green tolerates muggy southern temperatures, as does the high-yielding Boxcar Willie plant, which produces lumpy red fruits.

Growing in Humid Climates

• In hot, muggy climates, soils with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5 serve tomatoes best. Lime helps remedy low pH soils, while iron and manganese improve growing conditions for high pH soils. Fertilizer with a ratio of or similar to 6-8-8 encourages tomato growth in this type of atmosphere. Tomatoes in humid regions need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.

Tomatoes for Dry Climates

• Disease-resistant, early flowering tomatoes with thick stems do best in hot, dry climates. The large Omar's Lebanese variety, which features a distinctive wrinkly texture and reaches up to 1 1/2 pounds, flourishes in desert-like climates. Likewise, the Italian-native heirloom Costoluto Genovese, a deep red variety, does well in dry heat. Hybrid SunMaster tomatoes were created specifically for hot, dry climates and feature a very high tolerance to heat and sun exposure.

Growing in Dry Climates

• Desert-like climates often feature sandy soils, while tomatoes prefer loamy soil. A 2- to 3-inch layer of compost helps remedy this issue. Similarly, dry soil often has a higher pH than the ideal for tomato-growing; sulfur eases this issue. Tomatoes that reach the picking stage quickly – especially those that feature short to midseason maturity – cater to harsh, dry environments, as gardeners can pick them before the hottest part of the year.