Tomatoes from Sunny California

Tomatoes are produced throughout the Central Valley and Imperial Valley of California. According to the 1997 Census of Agriculture, California ranked 2nd in the U.S. in production. Tomatoes under irrigation grow best in what is known as Stockton clay soil. That is a deep, poorly drained soil that was formed in alluvium of mixed igneous and sedimentary rock sources. These soils are generally found in basins and swales of drainageways at elevations of 0-100 feet above sea level.

Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, reported to have beneficial antioxidants and may be a factor in reducing the development of cancer and heart disease. Breeders are interested in the lycopene composition of different tomato varieties and how lycopene content is affected by growing region and season. As a test, over 550 variety samples were grown by Farm Advisors in seven counties. Lycopene varied by county but certain varieties stood out with particularly high amounts in most counties.

A tomato grower in Southern California since 1979 had some conclusions about growing tomatoes. First, he says full production cannot begin until the average nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees F. Tomatoes should be planted in raised beds aligned east-west. The plants can be grown from transplants started in nurseries. For a support around each plant, he uses a 6.5 foot tall cage, 2 feet in diameter, made of concrete reinforcing wire. The farmer must allow at least a three year interval between planting tomatoes in the same area to keep from spreading disease.

Families are not concerned with all those details. They just want a big, red, juicy, California field-grown, vine-ripened tomato. Health and nutritional benefits are a plus.