Patio tomatoes such as Small Fry and Tumblin Tom likewise seem to tolerate lower temperatures. This explains why it is difficult to get a summer-long crop of tomatoes in the hot sections of the South. This occurs when green or ripening tomatoes get too much exposure to the hot sun. At first, a yellowish-white patch appears on the side of the tomato facing the sun. The area gets larger as the fruit ripens and becomes grayish-white.
Some varieties develop a lot of foliage and so are good in hot, sunny areas of the country.
To guard against sunscald, be careful not to over prune plants and remove all their shade. You can also grow them in cages where they will develop lots of protective foliage. Although these common problems make tomatoes look ugly, the fruits are safe to eat. Just cut away the affected part and enjoy the rest. Information posted April 30.