Tomato Season is Around the Corner!
Know when the right time to pluck your tomatoes from the vine is! Choosing the right time is important to the tomatoes flavor, nutrients, and plant itself!
The best time to pick a tomato is just as it’s beginning to turn color. This stage is called the “Breaking Stage” and is actually when the tomato stops nutrient intake from the plant.
Harvesting at this stage…
Saves the tomato from further damage. Picking at the breaking stage avoids any further damage from sun-spots, invasive insects and animals, and strong winds/storms among many other possibilities.
Allows the plant to increase nutrients to other tomatoes still in need. Plants that produce all season actually slow production of new blossoms when too many tomatoes are ripening on their vines, known as “Fruit Overload”. This overload can decrease your total season yield.
Keeps the weight on individual vines low, as well as the overall plant. Keeping the weight low decreases the chance of any breakage throughout the tomato plant, which would be another factor leading to slowed production and small season totals.
Don’t forget to store them properly until fully ripened! Tomatoes ripen best when stored in a cool space out of the sunlight. The ideal temperature for ripening is actually around 65-70 degrees, with lots of circulation. Storing them on a baking rack is a great way to improve circulation!
Note: Circulation helps the tomatoes ripen fast & more evenly. Refrigerating the tomatoes nearly stops the entire ripening process & causes flavor/nutrient loss.
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Tomato Season is upon us!!