When to pick

Bulldog · June 22, 2016

How ripe do you let them get on the vine? I've got some Bwine sudduth and Margaret Curtain turning color.

Since I've got squirrels and ground squirrels and it is a race between them and me, when would you pick them?

I have tulle bags over them, trying to cover any that turn color to disguise them. But some of the big ones won't fit.

Usually, I have 4 plants, a couple cherry type and 2 big ones, and the squirrels get them all except for a few cherries.This year, since reading Tomatoville, I have a lot more plants, so I am hoping to at least taste some of the bigger tomatoes.

BigVanVader · June 22, 2016

Pick at first blush, the tomato plant stops feeding the tomato as soon as you see color, so ripening inside is a better option if your afraid damage may occur.

ginger2778 · June 22, 2016

I agree with BVV- I pick at first blush and let them counter top ripen. Too many critters live here. I read about blindfolded taste tests of fruits from same plant, ripened on counter after blush, and vine ripened. Virtually no difference.

Certainly not enough difference to justify a critter eating all my hard work!

Bulldog · June 22, 2016

What are your markers for ripeness? How do you tell when they are ready to eat?

BigVanVader · June 22, 2016

Mostly just looks and feel. If they give a little when you lightly squeeze they are ready.

zipcode · June 22, 2016

Ask the squirrels that question. Depending on their answer, you just have to pick them before they do.
I usually pick them half ripe even when I didn't have a bird problem (now I have, very sudden and very big), because the fruit will be less sweet, i don't like sugary tomatoes. Otherwise the flavours are all there. Ready to eat kinda depends from variety to variety, some are softer very fast even if not fully ripe, others need to be eaten sooner than you'd think (some blacks). but, yeah, generally by softness, adjusted to each variety.

Gardeneer · June 22, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Pick at first blush, the tomato plant stops feeding the tomato as soon as you see color, so ripening inside is a better option if your afraid damage may occur.

Agree.
Ripening after color break happens in the tomato.
I will pick most of mine after color break and let them fully ripen on the counter. This way less chances of cracking and you beat the the rats, squirrels, birds ..plus more.

Gardeneer

June 22, 2016	#1
Bulldog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 126	When to pick How ripe do you let them get on the vine? I've got some Bwine sudduth and Margaret Curtain turning color. Since I've got squirrels and ground squirrels and it is a race between them and me, when would you pick them? I have tulle bags over them, trying to cover any that turn color to disguise them. But some of the big ones won't fit. Usually, I have 4 plants, a couple cherry type and 2 big ones, and the squirrels get them all except for a few cherries.This year, since reading Tomatoville, I have a lot more plants, so I am hoping to at least taste some of the bigger tomatoes.

June 22, 2016	#2
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Pick at first blush, the tomato plant stops feeding the tomato as soon as you see color, so ripening inside is a better option if your afraid damage may occur.

June 22, 2016	#3
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I agree with BVV- I pick at first blush and let them counter top ripen. Too many critters live here. I read about blindfolded taste tests of fruits from same plant, ripened on counter after blush, and vine ripened. Virtually no difference. Certainly not enough difference to justify a critter eating all my hard work!

June 22, 2016	#6
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Ask the squirrels that question. Depending on their answer, you just have to pick them before they do. I usually pick them half ripe even when I didn't have a bird problem (now I have, very sudden and very big), because the fruit will be less sweet, i don't like sugary tomatoes. Otherwise the flavours are all there. Ready to eat kinda depends from variety to variety, some are softer very fast even if not fully ripe, others need to be eaten sooner than you'd think (some blacks). but, yeah, generally by softness, adjusted to each variety.