Please see this discussion from further down the page.

and this one will help too. Hot Weather tomato suggestions

Dave

but my question is, basically, will the hot weather tomatoes be able to cope with the below 55 degree nights? the warmest night we have had this year has been 54. thats why i am confused on what to plant.

but my question is, basically, will the hot weather tomatoes be able to cope with the below 55 degree nights? the warmest night we have had this year has been 54. thats why i am confused on what to plant.

The night temps will pose no problems for the plants although the few blooms open then may or may not set, but the majority of blooms open in the day and the heat-tolerant varieties will tolerate that better and will set fruit. The only other option is to go strictly with the so-called early varieties that will do well with the cooler nights. But the day temps would do them in.

If this is your normal weather every year (weather this year is a problem for many) and it lasts ALL summer then you may have to consider one of the other approaches to growing them such as row houses, tunnels, etc.

And in the link above, did you also read the part about cutting back on nitrogen fertilizers? And about how some varieties (mid-season, late-season) will only set fruit later in the season no matter what you do?

You might also get some good info on which varieties work well in your area from other local tomato growers and from your local county AG extension office.

Dave

This link is old but has useful information.

When did you plant them out? She plants in Mar.
You don't mention what state you live in-- I would look up extension brochures for growing vegetables in your area.

For instance here is one from Arizonia:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/guide.html

click on the links at the top to see when to plant for the 2 different regions in that state.

http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/index.html

http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/dsrtgdn.htm

There is lots of free extension publications that would deal with how to grow tomatoes in whatever state you are in. If this is the correct time of the year then maybe investigate shading in the afternoon? Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert growing

i live in NV, elevation around 5000. i planted in march in WOWs, which is a huge pain, i will not be doing that again. last frost date is around may 15, but it will be 85-90 during the day and still freezing at night. i am in the desert, 3 inches of rain per year, so there are huge temperature fluctuations. its annoying.

I found this by googling Nevada Extension Publications. (see link)

Actually very interesting. The info about high heat could be applied to alot of place. I never heard about shooting blossoms with water.

Anyway here is just a bit what they said:

""Directing a strong jet of water at the blossoms twice during the heat of the day will improve blossom set
when daytime temperatures range between 90° and 100° F and below 75° F at night. The evaporating moisture
lowers the temperature, raises the humidity and jars the pollen loose, improving set. If daytime temperatures exceed
100 F and night temperatures stay above 75° F, this technique is not effective.
Many gardeners give up on tomatoes when the plants stop setting. Tomatoes will produce again in the fall
when temperatures cool. Gardeners should continue to fertilize and water during the period of no fruit set to ensure
well developed and productive plants for the fall.""

And here is another link from them --but not a whole lot there:
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/other/sp9911.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert Growing