So the best harvest time is not a guessing game
The weather has a decisive influence on the timing of the tomato harvest. The sunnier and warmer the summer, the faster it goes growth Ahead. At the same time, the cultivated ones play Variety of tomato as well as the beginning of the Cultivation into this sensitive constellation. You can usually look out for the first ripe tomatoes from July. This is how you can tell when it is ready for harvest:
- red tomatoes are completely colored, without any green spots
- yellow, green, orange or dark fruits give a little under pressure
- the predetermined breaking point on the fruit stalk kinks without applying excessive force
also read
- Canning unripe, still green tomatoes
- Can tomatoes be harvested green?
- Are Tomatoes Poisonous to Cats?
As long as a tomato is green in whole or in part, it shouldn't harvested will. In this state is the content of poisonous solanine at a harmful level. Greens are an exception Varieties of tomatoes represent. In this case, the kink test provides information about the state of maturity and a slight pressure with the thumb on the shell.
Why time of day and sequence determine the quality of the harvest
If you have your home-grown tomatoes prefer to enjoy fresh from the bush, the time of day has a noticeable effect on the aroma. If you pick the fruits under the first rays of sunshine in the morning, they taste crisp, fresh and mild. If you harvest tomatoes in the late afternoon hours, 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 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 trained eyes will certainly not be fooled by this. Beefsteak tomatoes have bad cards in this game of hide and seek anyway, unlike Cocktail tomatoes .
Harvest tomatoes with a stem for longer shelf life
The shelf life of tomatoes on their own Cultivation extend with a simple trick. Simply leave a piece of the stem on the fruit when harvesting. At the latest before consumption, this part of the plant should be removed because there is a very high concentration of poisonous solanine here.
Tips & Tricks
Just want the tomatoes not mature , 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 accelerates the ripening process. Ripe apples achieve the same effect.
