NC Tomato Growers

NC Tomato Growers The North Carolina Tomato Growers Association supports and promotes NC tomato growers through education, research, advocacy, and industry resources.

Dedicated to strengthening fresh market tomato production, sustainability, and the success of NC ag.

Good food, great company, and fresh NC tomatoes. That sounds like the perfect Father’s Day recipe to us. 🍅Show Dad some ...
06/18/2026

Good food, great company, and fresh NC tomatoes. That sounds like the perfect Father’s Day recipe to us. 🍅

Show Dad some extra appreciation this weekend with a homemade Vegetable Pizza from our friends at Got To Be NC. Whether you're rolling out the dough together or surprising him with a fresh pie of his own, it’s a thoughtful way to make some new memories around the table. 🍕

06/17/2026

🍅 Field vs. greenhouse tomatoes: what is the actual difference?

We teamed up with Chris at Smith's Farm Market to give you a quick look behind the scenes. Greenhouses protect plants from the elements for a longer, more predictable growing season, while field tomatoes grow deep roots in the dirt and soak up pure sunshine for that peak summer taste.

Thank you, Chris, for giving us a tour of your greenhouse and sharing your expert knowledge.

Heading to the State Farmers Market in Raleigh this week? If you have been dreaming about that perfect summer tomato, yo...
06/16/2026

Heading to the State Farmers Market in Raleigh this week? If you have been dreaming about that perfect summer tomato, you don't have to wait until July to find it.

Our local growers have beautiful, juicy greenhouse tomatoes ready for you right now. Because these are grown in a climate-controlled environment, they hit the market weeks before field crops are even close to ripening. You get peak summer flavor in June, no waiting required.

Are you wondering how the pollen becomes unlocked? The secret lies with the bumblebee and other native bee species. 🐝Bec...
06/10/2026

Are you wondering how the pollen becomes unlocked? The secret lies with the bumblebee and other native bee species. 🐝

Because normal wind alone cannot shake the pollen loose from that tight anther cone, bumblebees use a specialized technique called buzz pollination (or sonication). The bee grips the flower and vibrates its flight muscles at a specific frequency, creating a rapid resonance that effectively releases the trapped pollen.

This precise interaction is what allows the plant to fertilize and successfully grow fruit! 🍅

Tomato, Tomahto Trivia! 🍅As we kick off the first week of June here in North Carolina, our local tomatoes are soaking up...
06/04/2026

Tomato, Tomahto Trivia! 🍅

As we kick off the first week of June here in North Carolina, our local tomatoes are soaking up the sunshine. With early summer heat on the rise, these plants are working hard to stay hydrated and need plenty of water to make it to peak harvest season. ☀️

That brings us to today's trivia question...

June weather can get pretty dry, and tomato plants are thirsty! How much of a juicy, ripe tomato is actually just water?

A) About 50%
B) About 75%
C) Over 90%

🛑 No Peeking! Don't scroll too far down just yet or you'll spoil the fun. Drop your best guess in the comments.
Answer: C. Tomatoes are actually roughly 94% water, which is why a fresh summer slice is so incredibly refreshing on a hot day.

06/02/2026

Staking young tomato plants is one of the most important steps in producing a successful crop. Here’s why our growers are hard at work getting them in the ground:

🦠 Better Disease Control: Lifting leaves off the ground helps prevent soil-borne diseases and keeps foliage drier and healthier.

☀️ More Sunlight & Airflow: Growing vertically allows every leaf to receive maximum sunlight while improving air circulation throughout the plant.

🐛 Reduced Rot & Pest Pressure: Keeping fruit off the soil minimizes contact with moisture and pests, significantly reducing the risk of rot and damage.

🍅 Easier Harvesting: Organized rows make it easier for our crew to spot and harvest fruit at peak ripeness.

It takes an incredible team effort now, but the payoff comes all summer long with healthier plants, higher yields, and better-quality tomatoes!

Tomato season in North Carolina is almost here! 🍅☀️Most tomatoes take about 10–14 weeks to grow from tiny plants into ri...
05/29/2026

Tomato season in North Carolina is almost here! 🍅☀️

Most tomatoes take about 10–14 weeks to grow from tiny plants into ripe, juicy harvests. Growing time can vary depending on the variety, weather, and care, but the wait is always worth it.

While we’re enjoying spring weather, local growers have already been hard at work preparing for summer harvest season.

Right now across North Carolina, tomato plants are entering the bloom stage. 🌼🍅By late May, most NC tomato plants are co...
05/26/2026

Right now across North Carolina, tomato plants are entering the bloom stage. 🌼🍅

By late May, most NC tomato plants are covered in yellow flowers like these, the first sign that fresh summer tomatoes are on the way. Depending on when plants were transplanted and your neighborhood’s microclimate, growers may already be seeing tiny green tomatoes begin to form.

From late spring through August, pollinators stay busy helping tomato plants produce the juicy harvests we wait all year for. 🐝

Nature has a pretty interesting way of keeping things in the family. 🧬Did you know that tomatoes are botanical cousins w...
05/21/2026

Nature has a pretty interesting way of keeping things in the family. 🧬

Did you know that tomatoes are botanical cousins with to***co, potatoes, and peppers? They all belong to the nightshade family, sharing similar flower shapes and growth patterns. 🍅🥔

While to***co is grown for its leaves and potatoes for their tubers (the fleshy, underground storage units of the plant), tomatoes and peppers focus their energy on producing vibrant, nutrient-dense fruit.

Do you know the difference in what shapes your favorite summer slice? 🍅 Heirlooms are cultivars saved through generation...
05/19/2026

Do you know the difference in what shapes your favorite summer slice? 🍅

Heirlooms are cultivars saved through generations, selected to turn every meal into a masterpiece with outstanding flavor and nutrition. While they thrive in specific environments like the North Carolina Piedmont, these thin-skinned beauties don't stay fresh as long as modern varieties.

On the other hand, hybrids are designed to turn out predictable, uniform crops with the disease resistance needed to keep our food systems moving. These workhorses are bred for the durability to withstand shipping and storage. From the rich character of a heritage seed to the sturdy reliability of a hybrid, both play a major role in every North Carolina summer! ☀️

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401 W. Main
Clayton, NC
27520

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