A of fertilizer when the first fruit on the plant are about the size of a walnut usually will improve yields and lengthen the harvest period. Cold nights early in the growth period or hot, dry, windy weather may cause blossom damage or blossom drop. Avoid excessive fertilization as it may increase catfacing and blossom drop as well as fruit deformities. Harvesting Tomatoes will ripen on or off the plant when the fruit are full sized and starting to show a slight tinge of color. Harvest early to reduce the chances of cracking, fruit rots, and other damage.
Early harvest encourages additional production.
Store ripening fruit at 55 o F for maximum storage life or place them in a warmer location for quicker ripening. At the end of the season, harvest all full sized fruit and store them in a cool basement for ripening to enjoy fresh tomatoes 1-2 months after the last freeze.