Ask Extension Database, NDSU Extension Service Ask Extension for answers to commonly asked questions. NDSU Extension Service Horticulturists For home use and for canning, pick tomatoes when they are fully ripe. You may have to pick every second day. Throw away badly cracked, damaged, diseased or misshapen fruit. Use picking containers with smooth inner surfaces and do not drop fruit into containers.
Tomato yields vary with location, season and variety.
Gardens in North Dakota can expect to harvest 10 to 15 pounds per plant on the large fruited main crop varieties. You can often stretch the tomato harvest several weeks beyond the first of September or early October frost. Cover the vines with burlap or heavy paper in the evening when frost is predicted. Sprinkler irrigation will also protect tomatoes from frost. Start sprinkling before temperatures drop to 32 degrees and continue until the temperature is again above 32 degrees.