There’s nothing quite like a juicy, home-grown tomato to add a savory, earthy flavor to your favorite meal. Unfortunately, here on the North Olympic Peninsula, our short growing season and cool summer temperatures can prevent tomato plants from setting fruit or keep fruit from ripening before the weather turns cold. Tomato lovers do not despair! You can grow vine-ripened tomatoes here.

On Saturday, May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, veteran Clallam County Master Gardeners Jan Bartron, Betsy Burlingame, Laurel Moulton, David Rambin, Jeanette Stehr-Green, and Audreen Williams will talk about growing tomatoes on the North Olympic Peninsula.

The presentation will be held at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road in Sequim.

During the presentation, the Master Gardener team will share tips on growing tomatoes successfully in our short, cool growing season. Participants will learn what tomato varieties grow best in our area and how to plant tomatoes to optimize available heat. They will learn how to care for tomato plants through the growing season and about the benefits and challenges of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or hoop house. The workshop will include demonstrations and displays on planting and pruning tomato bushes, the use of season extenders and trellises, and common tomato problems.

The presentation “Growing Tomatoes Well Here” is part of the Digging Deeper Saturdays’ Educational Series and will occur rain or shine. Please dress appropriately and wear shoes suitable for standing and walking around the Demonstration Garden. For more information about “Growing Tomatoes Well Here” or the Digging Deeper series call 360-565-2678 or 360-565-2679.