Monty Don has urged tomato growers to carry out a few simple tasks this month to make sure their fruits ripen fully and the harvest period lasts as long as possible. Writing on his blog, the gardening expert said: "Tomatoes are coming up to their prime harvesting period, but to extend this and make sure that all the current green tomatoes fully ripen over the coming month or so, there are a few things the tomato grower should do now."
Strip the bottom leaves
The first job is to strip off the bottom half of the leaves on each plant. Monty explained: "The first is to strip off the bottom half of the leaves on each plant. This will let in light and air so that the growing fruits get more sun, and also the extra ventilation will reduce the risk of disease. This process can be continued weekly until there are no leaves left at all."
By removing the lower foliage, the developing tomatoes receive more direct sunlight and better airflow, which helps them ripen evenly.
Cut back on watering
Monty also advises reducing how much water the plants get, unless conditions are very hot. This year's extremely hot weather has been a challenge, but on cooler days gardeners can take advantage and ease off. He said: "Reduce the watering unless it is very hot to avoid the fruit splitting, but keep up a weekly feed of liquid seaweed or, if you can make it, home-made comfrey feed. Both are ideal for maximising flower and fruit production."
Picking tomatoes at the right time
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), tomatoes start to ripen from mid-summer onwards, depending on the variety, weather conditions and the size of the fruit. Cherry tomatoes ripen more quickly than larger fruits.
The RHS said: "Check plants every few days and pick tomatoes individually, with the stalk still attached, as soon as they're ripe and fully coloured."
Ripen unripe tomatoes at the end of the season
If some tomatoes are still green when the growing season ends, there is no need to worry. The RHS added: "At the end of the growing season, lift outdoor plants with unripe fruit and either lay them on straw under cloches to ripen or pick the fruits and place somewhere warm and dark to ripen. Alternatively, put unripe tomatoes in a drawer with a banana to aid ripening."
