Quote Originally Posted by Zundfolge View Post
Even down here in The Springs the growing season for tomatoes is just too short to get a big crop (which is why we've been growing mostly cherry tomatoes in several varieties and some "weird" varieties like indigos and green zebras). If you want to grow lots of 'maters you need to consider investing in a greenhouse
I disagree. Tomatoes can be extremely successful in CO. I'm in the metro area and harvest hundreds of pounds each year from about 40sf of raised bed.

My tomatoes are on the right in the picture and stand over 6ft tall.

I start from seed inside and transfer outside on Mother's day. The hoops are there to cover the young plants with cloth when they're transplanted to protect them from the harsh sun for a week or two and also potential hail. That way I don't have to worry about hardening them off.

I also pinch off all suckers and even flowers for at least a few weeks. This way the plants spend their energy growing big rather than trying to ripen fruit on young, small plants. Yes, I dont get to harvest until much later, but I get a ton more fruit from the bigger plants.

I grow mostly indeterminants but I also grow determinants (like romas) this way with success. Pain attention to the days to harvest of the tomato varieties you choose.

The pictures of produce are examples of what I pick every other day or so once stuff starts to ripen. I eat as much as possible and also can dozens of jars each of salsa and diced tomatoes each year.