Extend harvest of your tomatoes and enjoy them for weeks longer when you take these simple steps in late summer and early fall.
Once fruit has set, tomatoes need about 40-50 days to ripen.
Towards the end of the season, you can help your tomato plant direct its energy to already-set tomatoes and finish strong.
Keep your eye on the calendar. Know the date of your first expected frost. If you’re not sure, contact your local extension office. You can also view the freeze/frost information provided by the National Climatic Data Center. Select your state from the drop-down list. On the opened chart, choose the city closest to you. You’ll see the average first expected frost dates for fall – among plenty of other data.
About a month before that date, prune your plants. Cut off the top of the plant, remove all new blossoms, and clip shoots. Leave on mature foliage because these make food for the plant.
Extend harvest by covering tomato plants with a sheet or tarp to protect fruit.
There are at least 2 events to be on the watch for at the end of the season.
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