A network of various factors determines the optimal time for the tomato harvest. More intuition is needed here than staring at the calendar. We explain when and how best to harvest tomatoes.

So the best harvest time is no guessing game

The weather has a decisive influence on the timing of the tomato harvest. The sunnier and warmer the summer, the faster the growth progresses. At the same time, the cultivated tomato variety and the beginning of cultivation play a part in this sensitive constellation. As a rule, you can look out for the first ripe tomatoes from July. How to recognize the harvest maturity:

  • red tomatoes are colored all the way through, without any green areas
  • yellow, green, orange or dark fruits yield a little under pressure
  • the predetermined breaking point on the fruit stalk bends without excessive force

As long as a tomato is still green, either in whole or in part, it should not be harvested. In this state, the level of toxic solanine is at a level that is harmful to health. Green tomato varieties are an exception. In this case, the buckling test provides information about the state of ripeness and a light thumb pressure on the skin.

Why time of day and order affect harvest quality

If you prefer to enjoy your home-grown tomatoes fresh from the vine, the time of day has a noticeable effect on the aroma. If you pick the fruit under the first rays of sunshine in the morning, they taste crisp, fresh and mild. If you harvest tomatoes in the late afternoon, you will experience a warm, highly aromatic treat. The best thing to do is to try both variants.

Experienced hobby gardeners first harvest the tomatoes that are located directly on the trunk. These specimens are always particularly mature. As if the fruits wanted to postpone their fate a little longer, they often hide behind the leaves. But your practiced eye will certainly not be fooled by this. Beefsteak tomatoes have bad cards anyway in this game of hide-and-seek, in contrast to cocktail tomatoes.

Harvest tomatoes with the stem for a longer shelf life

You can extend the shelf life of tomatoes you grow yourself with a simple trick. Just leave a piece of the stalk attached to the fruit when harvesting. However, this part of the plant should be removed before consumption at the latest, because there is a very high concentration of toxic solanine here.

tips and tricks

If the tomatoes just don't want to ripen, knowledgeable gardeners help a little. A fully ripe banana works wonders when it is hung in the middle of the plants. The fruit emits ethylene gas, which forces the ripening process. Ripe apples have the same effect.

Category:

Vegetable garden