Growing tomatoes in Rhode Island is an enjoyable and rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared for the unique climate and soil conditions. The best way to ensure success is to choose the right variety of tomatoes for the region’s short growing season, prepare the soil properly, and provide protection from pests and diseases. With the right preparation and care, you can enjoy a successful harvest of delicious tomatoes!
Tomatoes in Rhode Island’s Climate
Rhode Island has a humid continental climate with warm and humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The state is located in the northeastern part of the United States, so the temperatures tend to be milder in the winter, and more extreme in the summer. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with the heaviest rain usually in the summer months. Snowfall is common and varies from year to year, with coastal areas receiving less than inland areas. The spring and fall seasons are usually mild and pleasant.
The elements in Rhode Island can affect tomato growth in various ways. The warm and humid summers are ideal for tomato growth, as they provide the right amount of heat and moisture for the plants. However, the cold and snowy winters can cause problems for tomatoes, as the cold temperatures can damage the roots and kill the plants.
Solutions to this problem include using row covers to protect the plants from cold temperatures, mulching the soil to insulate the roots, and planting in raised beds to provide better drainage. Additionally, tomatoes should be planted in a sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to ensure the best possible growth.
When to Start Tomatoes Indoors in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island, start sowing tomato seeds indoors from February 21st to March 19th.
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 Rhode Island
Growing early-harvest tomatoes is essential in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island, the final freeze date is expected around April 3rd to April 30th 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 Rhode Island
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.
