Daily harvesting of tomatoes ensures capturing them at their peak.
The tomato has long been a favorite for the home garden. Available in a mind-boggling array of sizes, shapes and colors, the endless options make tomato-growing fascinating and fun. Whether they are cherry, plum, beefsteak, pear, yellow, red, white or pink tomatoes, the fruit will taste best when picked in its prime. Harvested too early, the texture and flavor of tomatoes will be underdeveloped. Left too long on the vine, the fruits will split open and spoil.
Picking
Given sunny weather and abundant water, most tomatoes ripen 60 to 85 days from the time they are set in the garden. When the tomatoes begin to display a visible color change, check the plants daily, looking for fully mature fruit. A ripe tomato will have evenly distributed coloring and will feel slightly soft when squeezed. Harvest ripe tomatoes in the afternoon, when their sugar content is highest, by giving the sweet fruit a gentle twist to remove it from the vine.
Heat
Tomatoes are tropical in nature, and as such, they need warmth, not light, to mature. During periods of extremely hot weather, the heat will accelerate the ripening process but hinder color development. While tomatoes are available in a variety of colors, the majority are bright red when fully mature. However, during bouts of sizzling summer weather, ripe fruits may take on an orange or yellowish tint and stop. Under these circumstances, harvest the fruits before they turn red.
Storage
Tomatoes that will be eaten within a few days can be kept on the counter in a sunny windowsill for safekeeping. Place uneaten tomatoes in the refrigerator immediately, or keep them fresh by stashing them in the root cellar or covering them with a moist towel. Do not wash the tomatoes prior to storing them. The excess moisture will encourage the development of mold and mildew on the skin of the fruit.
Immaturity
A few days of chilly weather may kill a few leaves on a healthy tomato plant, but the vine itself will continue to flourish and produce tomatoes. However, anything heavier than a light layer of frost will kill the entire plant and ruin any lingering fruit. When winter weather is in the forecast, pick any remaining tomatoes, even if they have yet to reach their full size. Wrap the immature fruits in sheets of newspaper and store them in a cool, dark place. Check the tomatoes daily, as they will continue to ripen well into the winter if given adequate warmth.
Tags: fully mature, will continue
