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Harvesting

Although the California drought has been tough on farmers, Erik explains that there are benefits, including less weeds to threaten the crops. Tomatoes grow best in hot, dry climates, which means a wet season can introduce its own set of problems.

Tomatoes undergo a 5-month growth cycle from the time the seeds are planted to the time the fruit is harvested. Since organic farms do not harvest year-round, cover crops are used the rest of the year to keep nutrients in the soil.