In a recent reply to another reader of this ng, I made the statement that it
seems nearly impossible to grow tomatoes in New Orleans. I feel I should
clarify my statement, and I am hoping that some of you out there may have
some useful advice (or even evidence that it's me and not New Orleans that
can't grow tomatoes).

By "impossible" I mean that I've had more fungus, bug, and water problems in
my present garden than in all my previous locations combined. We get so
much rain that half my garden drowned this year despite raised beds. Same
story last year. The survivors have had to deal with heat and bugs that
approach apocalyptic levels. Incredible. And then there's the fungus, to
boot. .... Oh yeah, the SNAILS! ugh!

My cukes, peppers, and sunflowers all grow beautifully.

I have raised beds, have ammended the soil with compost repeatedly and (I
hate to admit it) commercial fertilizer on two occasions. I have also used
pesticides three times to knock back incredibly dense infestations of
insects, but I generally prefer not to use pesticides. The plants are well
spaced, and teh area is fenced off from pets (and strays). I am currently
trying to ammend the soil with a 50-50 mix of wood ash and compost to
address possible problems with Ca+ deficiencies, etc.

Any one out there with experience growing tomatoes in very hot, humid
environments? I'd love to read your comments.

~norm
LSU has been a major developer of tomato cultivars for many years. They should
have the best advice either on-line or through your ag extension agents. Try
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/Communica...02tomatoes.PDF for a
sample,