Hey everyone! This is our first time giving gardening a go, and we've set up two raised beds. We're learning as we go, but I have a couple of questions about our tomatoes. I planted them a bit too close together, unfortunately, and we're just figuring things out. I'm curious about when my tomatoes will turn red. Should I wait until they are fully red to harvest, or do they continue to ripen after being picked? Also, we have a cucumber plant that's completely taken over and producing tons of cucumbers—my wife loves them, but I find it a bit overwhelming. Could the cucumbers be affecting the tomatoes in any way?
2 Answers
As a second-year grower, I totally get your tomato frustrations! My tomatoes seem to take forever to turn red too, but I've learned that patience pays off. You can actually pick them as soon as you see a blush of color, then let them ripen indoors—just keep them in a paper bag or on a windowsill to speed things up. And remember, different sizes ripen at different rates; smaller varieties usually turn faster.
About those cucumbers, I feel your pain! They can be little monsters, can't they? Both cucumbers and tomatoes need a lot of nutrients, so they might be competing for resources, especially if they’re taking over your space. Make sure you're feeding them regularly, and consider switching your fertilizer to one that encourages flowering and fruiting as your plants mature. Good luck with your garden—it sounds like you're doing great for first-timers!
Your advice on picking tomatoes early is super helpful! I'll keep that in mind.
I’ve been growing tomatoes for a while, and I usually leave them on the vine as long as possible. But if you expect heavy rain, I suggest picking them when they just start showing some color to prevent splitting. Look for a slight blush on the bottom—I find that’s where color starts, and it’ll spread from there. Seems like you're on the right track with the Romas; they tend to take their time, but the others should come along nicely!
Great advice, thanks! I’ll keep an eye on them especially with the rain coming.
Picking them early sounds smart, I’ll give that a try!
Thanks for the tips! I had no idea about switching fertilizers. I’ll definitely look into that.