Rain hampers tomato season

August 1, 9:43 PMDanbury Food ExaminerSarah Caron

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By August, farmers markets are usually filled with tomatoes of all colors and sizes, just beginning to be devoured. But not this year. At the farmers markets, you will notice signs by most tomatoes indicating that they are hot house tomatoes (meaning grown in a greenhouse). Missing are the cherry tomatoes, brandywines, heirlooms and other varieties that make tomato fans drool.

So where are all the tomatoes?

Excessive rains, cool temperatures at night and other factors have created an inhospitable environment for the jewels of summer. That means that many Connecticut farmers are struggling to grow any tomatoes, and those who are face a fungus problem that is whipping across the northeast.

The New York Times reports that the tomato problem is presenting a major financial problem for farmers in this area of the country. Called late blight, the fungus thrives in wet and windy conditions, like have been the mainstay of the summer of 2009.

So, if you are waiting for the tomatoes to arrive in the markets, it's time to stop looking and start enjoying what this season does have to offer: corn, beets, greens and cabbages. The tomatoes just aren't coming.