Where would this world be without tomatoes?

Think of all your favourite recipes that would no longer exist.

One of my favourite summertime lunches is just a simple tomato sandwich. It is not just for its scrumptious flavour, but also includes going out to my garden and picking a fresh tomato off the vine while it is still warm from the summer sun.

Harvesting tomatoes at the right time and in the right way ensures the best flavour and extends the productivity of your plants. Here are some tips to help you harvest tomatoes successfully.

When to harvest your tomatoes

Check daily: During peak season, tomatoes ripen quickly — check your plants every day.

Colour is key: Make sure the fruit reaches its mature colour before harvesting. Whether its colour is red, yellow, orange, purple or striped (depending on the variety), let the fruit fully ripen and colour up to ensure the best flavour.

Firm but slightly soft: Gently squeeze the tomato. A ripe tomato should feel firm but yield slightly to pressure.

Ease of detachment: A ripe tomato will easily separate from the stem with a bit of a twist.

How to harvest

Twist and lift: Gently twist the fruit until it snaps off. Don’t yank or pull too hard — this can damage the plant.

Use two hands: One to hold the fruit and the other to support the vine to avoid breaking branches.

Use clippers: For stubborn stems or larger tomato types, use garden scissors or pruners to cut them off cleanly.

Leave a bit of stem: Leaving a small part of the stem (especially for cherry tomatoes) helps them last longer in storage.

Keep plants clean: Remove any overripe, damaged or diseased fruits regularly to prevent the spread of disease and encourage new fruiting. Do not let bad fruit sit on the ground at the base of the plants.

After-harvest care

Keep out of sunlight: Store picked tomatoes in a cool, shaded area — not in direct sun.

Avoid refrigeration (if possible): Cold temperatures can reduce flavour and texture. Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature and use them within a few days.

Let them ripen indoors: If frost is approaching or pests are an issue, pick tomatoes early (at the “breaker stage” — just starting to colour) and let them ripen indoors.

Extra tips

Water at the base of the plant, or use a soaker hose.

Don’t withhold too much water or the plants will continually wilt and become stressed, causing them to drop their blossoms and possibly their fruit.

Avoid splashing water on the leaves, especially in the evening, which can lead to disease.

After the fruit begins to ripen, ease up on watering so the plant concentrates its sugars for a better-tasting fruit.

Catch potential diseases before they spread. Many diseases can attack tomato plants — fungal, bacterial and viral.

The best way to keep ahead of any diseases is to monitor the plants regularly.

As soon as you start seeing signs of any disease beginning, remove the affected leaves before it spreads throughout the entire plant.

Let the harvesting begin!

Joanne Young is a Niagara-on-the-Lake garden expert and coach. See her website at joanneyoung.ca.