2026. Worst Tomato Year. PNW (Seattle).

It is the end of August and I just picked my first (and potentially last) big harvest. I have had tomatoes here and there since mid July, but today was the first time I had to break out anything larger than a collender to hold the week's production. Normally at this time of year I would have harvested 4x or 5x more than I have to date.

I know a lot of the northern hemisphere has roasted this summer, but 2026 has been one of the best summer in Seattle area in terms of the weather I can remember. I haven't turned on the AC once. Mild days and cool nights.

But the downside is it has been a terrible tomato year. A cool June and early July delayed fruit set and nights that are consistently in the mid 50⁰s have resulted in slow growing, small, and late maturing fruit.

I have about 25 plants of sauce tomatoes that haven't produced more than a few ripe fruit. I probably have 200#+ of green fruit on those, but I doubt much will ripen before the fall weather sets in in a few weeks and our blight season hits.

But tonight there will be BLTs and family and friends will be getting their usual end of summer bags of summer tomatoes this week. Their bags will just be a bit smaller this year.