Will my tomato plants die in the winter?

In tropical regions outside of the continental U.S., even common tomato vines may live for more than one year. Although it is a short-lived perennial ,tomato plants can bear fruit for more than one year in parts of the world that never dip below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Generally tomato plants are seasonal, or considered an annual, once and done. Start fresh every spring. BUT there are exceptions to the rule. Every once in a while people in milder climates such as yours, can get more than one season out of a plant. Typically they do not bear as much fruit as the first season. Just trim the dead bits off and nurse it through the winter. You have nothing to lose by trying. If it doesn't make it, no loss, you can start from seed (soon), or buy more plants. Don't forget, you should rotate planting beds and not plant the same plant in the same space. If you absolutely have to, be sure to amend the soil with lots of good quality compost. Same goes for pepper plants. Strawberries are good for a long time depending on the variety. I have a strawberry patch that is around 25 years old. I buy a few new plants every year to replace some that might have died off. It is a mish mash of different types, large, medium and small but all delicious.

Hi Mary. I'm Cindy. I love to work in my garden. It's like therapy for me. Yes, your tomato plant will die in the winter, but the seeds from any tomatoes may produce a new plant. If you had any tomatoes on the vines when the plant went dormant, the seeds from inside the tomatoes might work its way into the soil and start a new plant. And, of course, it may not. It's a gamble. It's the same thing with your pepper plant. Strawberries are different. At the end of your growing season, you should cut the strawberry plant down to the soil. Leave the roots intact. The roots will start growing more plants, and eventually strawberries. I live near Joliet, Illinois. So I grow vegetables according to my zone. You should figure out what your zone is and plant according to it. Good luck Mary.

It's an annual and you can keep it going but if temperatures reach below freezing it will die. So cover it up with a tarp the night before and it should be fine.

I had tomatos in Florence, AZ and they lasted 2 years. The crop was excellent both years and grew to 5 feet or more tall. If you have frost expected cover with frost cloth or sheets. you are in zone 9 or 10 depending on your altitude in Tuscon.

Hi Mary. It's Cindy again. I did a bit of research and learned that you are in Zone 9. You are able to grow a great garden. Be sure to water often because of the climate you live in. Good luck with this.