13 Prune Suckers
Remove suckers that develop in the crotch joint of two branches. Pinch or prune them off when they’re 3 inches long or smaller. They won’t bear fruit and can take energy away from the rest of the plant.4
You can root tomato suckers in water to grow additional plants.
How to Harvest and Store Tomatoes
The best time to harvest tomatoes depends on whether you planted early-, mid-, or late-season varieties. Early-season tomatoes mature in 40 to 70 days, midseason in 60 to 70 days, and late-season tomatoes in 80 to 100 days from planting. Here are tips on how to harvest and store tomatoes:
Harvest fruits when they are good-sized, fully colored, and have smooth, shiny, supple, yet firm skin.
Ripe tomatoes should come off the plant easily. If you have to pull hard, the fruit isn’t quite ready.
Ripen a partially ripe fruit by placing it in a paper bag and leaving it on the counter at room temperature. Refrigeration prevents fruit from ripening.
Don’t leave partially ripened fruit on the stem too long or it will attract pests.
Chill fully ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator for two to three days, but they’ll taste best when brought back to room temperature before eating.5
Article was originally published on: www.thespruce.com