The Great Tomato Plant Sale Returns to Contra Costa County

Join the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County as it hosts its 2026 Great Tomato Plant Sale.

The sales will be held in three cities: Antioch, Richmond and Walnut Creek which include 70+ varieties of tomatoes. Also available are peppers, eggplants, squash and more. All plants are $4.00 (Visa, Mastercard or check)

City of Antioch (Contra Costa Event Park at 1201 W 10^th St)

• Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

City of Richmond (Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave)

• Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

City of Walnut Creek (N Wigit & Shadelands)

• Saturday, April 11 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Sunday, April 12 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Wednesday, April 15 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
  Wednesday April 22 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm

UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County has also provided more information about “‘Here’s What’s New in 2026’, then follow the links to discover the full collection of plants and resources waiting for you at this year’s Great Tomato Plant Sale.

Plant Sale Tips: Growing Tomatoes in Containers

If you have limited space, growing tomatoes in containers is a great alternative to planting in the ground. Make sure to choose a sunny spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sun and follow these tips for a successful growing season.

1. Choose the right tomato variety: Select either determinate, dwarf or cherry style tomatoes. Determinate tomatoes are smaller, bushier, and generally do better in containers than Indeterminate varieties.
2. Plant in as large a pot as possible: Tomato varieties vary on how large of a container is required. Ideally, 18” to 24” pots provide enough container soil depth for deep-rooted tomatoes. But some will do fine in a container that holds as little as five gallons of soil, such as a 14” tall bucket from a home improvement store, while others will need more than twice as much soil and a deeper container to thrive. Don’t forget to add drainage holes in your plastic bucket!
3. Choose a good quality “potting mix.”: Potting mixes are specifically formulated for containers and are a better choice than garden soil or even planting mix. They frequently contain coir to hold moisture and provide the good drainage necessary for healthy root growth.

Protecting Tomatoes during Hot Summer Days

Tomatoes love warm sunny days, ideally daytime temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees. However, when summer temperatures rise above 95, problems with your plants can arise. Above 95 degrees, tomato plants will stop growing, their flowers are not able to pollinate and fruit cannot fully ripen. At high temperatures fruit can actually suffer sunburn and plant stress can lead to increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Here is a list of suggestions to help your plants survive during those “Dog Days of Summer” and enjoy a season of delicious fruit from your garden.

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