When Should You Pick Tomatoes Off the Plant?

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable that you can easily grow in your garden or in containers on your patio. One of the biggest questions that most tomato growers have is when to pick their tomatoes off the plant. This decision can be critical in determining the final quality of the tomatoes you harvest. Here is some guidance for picking tomatoes off the plant:

Consider the Variety

The first and most important factor to keep in mind when picking tomatoes is the variety of the plant. Some tomato varieties have a short growing season, while others take longer to start producing fruits. If you are growing indeterminate varieties, you should start harvesting your tomatoes once they start ripening. Indeterminate varieties include cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, and beefsteak tomatoes, among others.

On the other hand, if you are growing determinate tomatoes, you should wait until most of the tomatoes on the plant have ripened before picking them. Determinate varieties include Roma tomatoes, San Marzano tomatoes, and early girl tomatoes. By waiting until they are ripe, you ensure that the tomatoes are flavorful and delicious.

The Ripeness Factor

The ripeness factor is another important factor to consider when it comes to picking tomatoes off the plant. Picking underripe tomatoes can be detrimental to the quality of the fruits, while picking overripe tomatoes can also impact the final quality of the tomatoes. You should pick tomatoes when they are fully ripe or a little underripe, as they will continue to ripen off the plant.

A ripe tomato should be firm but not too hard, and it should also have a glossy skin. If you are growing cherry tomatoes, they should be slightly soft before you pick them, and they should also have a deep red color. If you have trouble determining whether or not your tomatoes are ripe, you can perform a simple test. Gently press the tomato with your finger, and if it gives, it is ripe and ready for picking.

Storage Considerations

The final factor to consider is storage. Once you pick tomatoes off the plant, you need to handle them with care to ensure that they last. If you pick underripe tomatoes, you can store them on your counter in a cool, dry place until they ripen. Once the tomatoes are ripe, you should store them in your refrigerator to keep them fresh. However, you should only do this if you are going to eat them within a few days, as cold temperatures can quickly turn a tomato mealy or mushy.

If you have an abundance of ripe tomatoes, you may want to consider freezing or canning them for later use. This will allow you to enjoy fresh tomatoes throughout the year.

Conclusion

Picking tomatoes off the plant can be a daunting task, but with these guidelines, you should be able to gather your tomatoes at the peak of their ripeness. Remember to consider the variety of the plant, the ripeness factor, and storage considerations to ensure that your tomatoes are delicious and healthy. Enjoy!