Q. I used to get the most perfect tomatoes, but last year and this year, most of the tomatoes are excessesively pulpy. It can be all the way through or just the top half. I thought it was because I had to put them in the same area each year, so I put in all new soil there this year and I’m getting the same thing. Help? Thank you so much for your assistance and I just love your column. Jackie Harris – Tacoma, WA
A. I am not completely certain what you mean by “excessively pulpy” but texture of a tomato is determined to a large degree by its genetics, but it can also be affected by the growing conditions. So first off did you grow the plants yourself each year from seed that you know is true to type? If you are growing them from transplant has the variety changed? The main reason that it is recommended to move tomato plants each year is due to disease problems like nematodes, fusarium or verticillium wilt. You have reconditioned the soil so it may not be soil conditions. And if everything else is the same culturally you must look elsewhere. Sometimes the timing of picking the tomato can also influence its texture. If they are left on the line too long after they turn red and become glossy the texture will change. Also storing tomatoes in the refrigerator (anything below 50) will also adversely affect the tomatoes texture. This can also happen to fruit that are still on the vine in the fall when temps get into the 40’s. It is not cold enough to kill the plants but will change the fruits texture.