The Best Time to Harvest Tomatoes
Harvesting tomatoes at the right time has two main benefits – the fruits will not spoil quickly, and the plant will be stimulated to produce more fruit.
Believe it or not, most gardeners harvest tomatoes too late. This causes the fruits to spoil faster, and the harvest becomes less abundant.
Many believe that there is nothing better than a sun-ripened tomato on the vine. However, the best time to harvest the fruits is when they reach their peak ripeness.
Stage of Ripening
Timing
Once the plant forms flowers, it takes about six to eight weeks for the fruit to become ready for consumption. During the first half of this period, the fruit grows in size. It forms seeds and the jelly-like substance around them. All sugars and acids that give the final taste to the tomato are already formed. When the fruit reaches full size, this is called green ripeness. After that, it will ripen further to reach its full flavor potential.
The Science Behind Tomato Ripening
Interesting things are happening in the world of tomatoes. When the weather is warm enough, it triggers the tomato to start producing a plant hormone – ethylene. This hormone is crucial for the synthesis of lycopene, and lycopene gives the tomato its characteristic red color. So, responsible for the ripening of the fruit are: warmth, ethylene, and lycopene. But most importantly, tomatoes can produce ethylene and lycopene even when they are not attached to the plant, as long as they are in a warm place.
Ethylene
Technically speaking, tomatoes that ripen on the vine are no longer part of the plant.
Understanding the Ripening Process of Tomatoes
Tomatoes undergo a fascinating ripening process that starts from the inside out. When the fruit begins to produce ethylene, it also seals itself off from the rest of the plant by hardening the cells where it attaches. This prevents the fruit from receiving nutrients and water from the plant, making it easier to detach. It marks a phase of detachment before the tomato is fully ripe.
As tomatoes ripen from the inside out, an unripe tomato may actually be much riper than it appears. In general, once a tomato looks half ripe, it is well on its way to becoming fully ripe.
The Perfect Moment for Harvesting
Now is the best moment to harvest the fruit. Different varieties may look different at this breaking phase, but once you compare it to a fully ripe tomato, you will know how a half-ripened one looks like.
After Harvesting
Once you have harvested the fruit at the breaking phase, all you need to do is keep them in a warm place. Heat is crucial to getting a tasty and well-ripened tomato. Place the fruits on a southern window sill, a table under a canopy, or any warm spot.
How to Ripen Tomatoes Faster
Tomatoes can be ripened even in a box in the garage. Sunlight does not play a role in the ripening process.
Tomatoes should be placed in such a way that they do not touch. This allows warm air to circulate freely. You can place them in layers in a box, placing newspaper between the layers. Check regularly and rotate the tomatoes when needed. Use those that start to soften immediately.
Tip
Harvesting tomatoes in the ripening phase is very important to do in the heat. The reason is that when temperatures exceed.
How to Protect Your Tomatoes During a Heatwave
When the temperature reaches 32 degrees, tomato production slows down or stops completely. If your tomatoes are still on the vine and are in the ripening stage, but a heatwave is coming like now, don’t hesitate to pick them and bring them inside where it’s cooler.
Tomatoes are sensitive to extreme heat and can suffer from sunscald and dehydration if left on the vine during a heatwave. By picking them and bringing them inside, you can protect your tomatoes and ensure they continue to ripen properly without being damaged by the heat.
Remember to place them in a cool, shaded area inside your home to allow them to ripen naturally and avoid any damage caused by the heat outside. This way, you can still enjoy delicious, homegrown tomatoes even during a heatwave.
