Celebrity Tomato in Zone 5A — Mountain West

Celebrity Tomato is a fantastic choice for us high-altitude gardeners in Zone 5A. Its reliable yields, classic tomato flavor, and impressive disease resistance make it a winner in our short season. Plus, those cool nights we get even in summer really concentrate the sugars, giving you a taste you won't find anywhere else.

Sure, high altitude gardening in the Mountain West comes with challenges like intense UV and a short growing season of only about 138 days. But with a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Celebrity Tomatoes.

Starting your Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors is essential to get a jump on our short growing season. Aim to sow your seeds early to late April, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This gives them a head start before the threat of frost has passed.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm, around 70-75°F, and provide plenty of light. A grow light is your best bet, since our spring weather can be unpredictable. Don't forget to water from the bottom to prevent damping off and encourage strong root growth.

Remember that our spring here in the mountains often starts late, so be patient and don't rush to put your seedlings outside too early.

Transplanting your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors should happen late May through late June, after the last expected frost. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the intense sun and cooler temperatures we often experience.

When transplanting, space your plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. We can still get some chilly nights and even a late frost, so be ready to cover your young plants if needed.

Watering is critical for Celebrity Tomatoes, especially in our dry Mountain West climate. They need consistent moisture to produce those juicy fruits. Since we get so little rainfall, you'll need to supplement regularly.

During the peak of summer, when temperatures are generally moderate-at-altitude, aim to give your plants about 1-2 inches of water per week. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant, rather than overhead, to minimize the risk of disease, especially since our low humidity means foliage dries quickly anyway.

Watch for signs of underwatering, like wilting leaves, or overwatering, like yellowing leaves. A good layer of mulch, like straw or wood chips, will help retain moisture and keep the soil cooler.

Celebrity Tomatoes are a determinate variety, meaning they grow to a certain size and then stop. However, they still benefit from support. Since they're semi-determinate, meaning they're shorter than fully indeterminate varieties, medium-height cages work well.

Install the cages at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. You can also use stakes if you prefer. Simply tie the main stem to the stake as the plant grows. The goal is to keep the fruit off the ground and prevent the branches from breaking under the weight of the tomatoes.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomatoes to ripen early August through mid September, about 70 days after transplanting. Look for medium-large, red fruits that are firm but have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As our first frost approaches in late September, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still develop good flavor, even off the vine.

Even with Celebrity's good disease resistance, you might encounter a few common problems:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off without setting fruit. Small fruit yellows and drops. The plant looks healthy but doesn't produce.
• What causes it: Temperature stress, especially when nighttime temperatures stay above 75°F or daytime temperatures exceed 95°F. Low humidity and poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient – fruit set should resume when temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade during extreme heat. Keep plants well-watered. You can also try hand-pollination by gently shaking the blossoms.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Look for large (up to 4 inches) green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and dark droppings on leaves below.
• What causes it: Larvae of hawk moths. Eggs are laid on tomato family plants, and the caterpillars feed voraciously.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick the hornworms – they're easy to spot once you know what to look for. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and organic. If you see white cocoons on a hornworm, leave it! Those are parasitic wasp eggs that will kill the hornworm and produce more beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target or bullseye pattern) on lower leaves first, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm conditions. It spreads via soil splash onto lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves (don't compost them). Mulch around the plants to prevent soil splash. Water at the base, not overhead. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. A copper fungicide can help slow the spread. Rotate your crops each year.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our moderate-at-altitude heat typically isn't as extreme as lower elevations, so blossom drop is less common. However, our intense UV light can stress plants, making them more susceptible to problems. Low humidity can help reduce fungal diseases, but it also means you need to be diligent about watering. Hail can also be a major issue, so consider using netting or row covers for protection.

Companion planting can give your Celebrity Tomatoes a boost in the Mountain West:

Good Companions:

• Basil: Improves flavor and repels pests like tomato hornworms.
• Carrots: Loosen the soil and attract beneficial insects.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects and can help repel tomato hornworms.
• French Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Bad Companions:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower): Can inhibit tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes.
• Corn: Can attract pests and diseases that also affect tomatoes, and it competes for nutrients.