Growing tomatoes in Michigan can be challenging due to the state’s relatively short growing season and variable climate. Don’t let this deter you, Michigan can still produce magnificent tomatoes, with the right guidance and attention. Frigid winters, sporadic rainfall, and inconsistent final freeze dates can demand a little more attention, but it makes the tomatoes grown there all the sweeter.
Tomatoes in Michigan’s Climate
Michigan has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm with temperatures occasionally reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are cold with significant snowfall. Spring and fall can be unpredictable, with wide temperature fluctuations and occasional frost. The state receives moderate to high levels of precipitation throughout the year.
The climate in Michigan can have both positive and negative impacts on tomato growth. The warm summers can be beneficial for promoting plant growth and fruit development, but the occasional drought can lead to water stress in plants. The cold winters and inconsistent frost dates can damage tomato plants, but selecting cold-tolerant varieties and using protective measures such as mulch and row covers can help mitigate this.
The state’s high humidity and precipitation can also contribute to disease development, such as early blight and late blight. It is crucial to choose varieties that can tolerate specific climatic conditions and provide adequate water and nutrient management to overcome the challenges of Michigan’s climate when growing tomatoes. Using techniques such as companion planting and pruning can also help optimize growth and yield.
When to Start Tomatoes Indoors in Michigan
If you want to get an early start on cultivating tomatoes, begin growing the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the final spring frost in your area, regardless of the tomato variety you’re growing. In Northern Michigan start sowing tomato seeds indoors around May 1st, while in Southern Michigan start sowing around April 15th.
You may want to get them going even earlier than that and plant them in a large pot ahead of producing them outdoors, just to give them even more of a head start. To start tomato seeds indoors:
- Select a planting container. Choose a container at least 6-8 inches deep, with holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Fill with a seed starter potting soil.
- Plant 2-3 tomato seeds ⅛ inch deep in the soil and cover.
- Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny spot indoors and keep the soil moist.
- When the seedlings reach 2-3 inches tall, thin them out so there is only one seedling per container.
Tomato Varieties That do Well in Michigan
Growing early-harvest tomatoes is essential in Michigan, due to the shortened growing season. Some varieties of tomatoes are ready to harvest in under 60 days, which is ideal in the short growing season of Michigan. I recommend one of the following varieties:
- ‘Early Girl’ Tomato – 55 Days to Harvest
- ‘Sun Gold’ Tomato – 55 Days to Harvest
- ‘Sungold’ Tomato – 50 Days to Harvest
- ‘Stupice’ Tomato – 52 Days to Harvest
- ‘Fourth of July’ Tomato – 49 Days to Harvest
- ‘Sweet Million’ Tomato – 45 Days to Harvest
- ‘Oregon Spring’ Tomato – 50 Days to Harvest
- ‘Celebrity’ Tomato – 70 Days to Harvest
- ‘Yellow Pear’ Tomato – 60 Days to Harvest
- ‘Gardener’s Delight Tomato – 52 Days to Harvests
Hardening Off Your Tomatoes
Hardening off tomatoes that you’ve started indoors before planting outdoors is essential to ensure they can thrive in the outdoor environment. When tomatoes are started indoors, they become accustomed to the warm and more stable environment. When planted outdoors, they are exposed to more extreme temperatures, wind, and sun. Hardening off tomatoes helps them slowly adjust to their new environment by exposing them to these elements for an extended period.
The process of hardening off tomatoes begins by slowly introducing them to the outdoors. Start by placing them in a sheltered spot, such as a porch or a partially shaded area, for a few hours each day. Over a week, gradually increase the amount of time they are kept outdoors and the amount of sun they are exposed to. After a week of hardening off, the tomatoes should be ready to move to their final outdoor planting location.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Michigan
It’s generally safe to plant tomatoes outdoors when there is no risk of frost or freezing temperatures. In most climates, this means waiting until at least late spring or early summer. In Michigan, the final freeze date is expected around April 1st to May 15th depending on where you live. Still, be mindful of your weather forecast. If it seems like you’re in for a late freeze, wait to plant your tomatoes!
When to Harvest Tomatoes in Michigan
When tomatoes have turned a deep red (or the ripe color of their particular variety) and have no green spots visible, they are ripe and ready to be picked. If there are still green patches on the tomato, it has not yet ripened and should remain on the vine. The ideal way to pick ripe tomatoes is to cup the tomato in your hand and give it a gentle twist- it should come off the vine with ease. When in doubt, you can leave it on the vine an extra couple of days, or harvest the entire branch of tomatoes and allow it to ripen on the vine on your window sill.
