When to harvest tomatoes - fruit skin will ‘easily’ determine when crops are ready
Tomato plants, which are one of the most popular crops to grow in the UK, can be harvested from next month through to September. Now, a gardening expert has shared exclusively with Express.co.uk how to know when tomatoes need picking from the vine.
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Tomato plants can be found in most gardens and greenhouses up and down the UK. The popular crops are easy to grow and can be started from seed indoors.
These plants love the sun and prefer to be positioned in a sheltered, warm spot away from any strong winds.
Tomato plants grow particularly well in greenhouses and will usually produce a larger and earlier crop inside.
Knowing when to harvest tomatoes can be difficult as some varieties may not be ready until September - or later in the year.
With this in mind, Daniel Carruthers, from Cultivar Greenhouses, has shared some top tips for watering, picking and storing tomatoes exclusively with Express.co.uk.
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Picking tomatoes
Daniel said gardeners will usually know from the skin of the tomato when it’s ready for harvest.
He said: “You’ll know that your tomatoes are ready to pick when there are no green areas left on the skin of the fruit.
“Simply pinch it off from the top of the plant, and it should come away easily if it is ready.”
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When tomatoes ripen will depend on the variety, weather conditions and the size of the fruit.
Cherry tomatoes tend to ripen more quickly than larger varieties and so will tomatoes in greenhouses.
Watering
Tomatoes need watering regularly in order to avoid blossom end rot which can lead to brown or black patches on the fruit.
Daniel said: “Water them regularly, aiming to keep the compost moist at all times.
“If possible, use water from your tap, instead of a water butt as this could contain disease, potentially affecting tender, young plants."
Storage
Once tomatoes have been picked, it’s important to store them correctly to maintain their delicious flavour.
The expert said: “Remember, don’t store your tomatoes in the fridge, as the cold temperature will ruin the rich flavour.
“Keep them at room temperature on your kitchen counter and aim to eat them within a few days of harvesting to enjoy them at their best.”
