But after picking the first crop, the plants seemed to slow down, the tomatoes being very small and sparse. Last year I had tomatoes up the ying-yang. The watermelon and cantaloupe last year were perfect, this year they were small, sparse and not even edible. Tomatoes require nitrogen for top growth, phosphorus for fruit development and potassium for roots. Complete fertilizers of 5 percent or 8 percent nitrogen and 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium work best with vegetables.
Tomatoes prefer infrequent, deep watering.
Excess water will discourage fruit set and alter fruit development and flavor. Last summer was too cool for good melon development. Melons also prefer infrequent and deep irrigation. The Garden Detective column is compiled with the help of master gardeners at the UC Cooperative Extension Service in Sacramento County. Send questions to The Garden Detective, California Life, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852.