You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato
Our Guide to Indeterminate Tomatoes
The kitchen garden is a place where art and science work together. In this post, we’ll provide a guide to how both of these factors contribute to the planting, tending and harvesting tasks of one of our favorite plants — the tomato.
The main questions beginner gardeners have about tomatoes are typically related to ripening, pruning and maximizing productivity or fruit size.
The Science Behind Tomato Ripening: On the Vine or Off?
Tomatoes are notorious for being finicky, and the ripening process is no exception.
Tomatoes in various stages of ripeness on the vine — it’s time to pick the ones that are ‘blushing,’ or starting to turn from green to orange to red. Bring them inside to ensure you get to enjoy them before any garden pests.
Do tomatoes ripen faster on or off the vine?
The answer lies in the science of ethylene, a natural plant hormone responsible for fruit ripening. While tomatoes do produce ethylene on the vine, the process accelerates when they're off the vine.
Once a tomato starts showing color — called blushing — it will continue to ripen indoors, making it a strategic move to pick slightly underripe tomatoes and allow them to mature inside.
Plus, at this point, the tomato is not receiving any additional nutrients from the plant, so you can remove it.
This method ensures you can enjoy perfectly ripe tomatoes without sacrificing flavor. Off-vine ripening can provide a more controlled environment, reducing the risk of pests and diseases affecting your precious harvest.
Pruning: Go For It — But Know When To Stop
These tomatoes are still growing — they haven’t yet started ripening. To speed up the process toward the end of the season, ‘top’ your plant by clipping off the top of the main stem and pruning all extra leaves and stems.
Now, let's talk about pruning.
Should you let your indeterminate tomato vines run wild, or is pruning the key to productive plants?
Like all things in life, we recommend finding a balance.
While pruning can encourage air circulation and reduce the risk of diseases, removing too many leaves may hinder the plant's ability to photosynthesize and lead to sun scald.
A moderate approach to pruning, focusing on removing lower leaves and overcrowded stems, ensures a healthy balance for optimal productivity while preserving enough foliage to protect the developing fruit.
When you prune non-flowering leaves, you help the plant direct energy toward new flower and fruit production — and by doing this, you’ll actually get more fruit.
Maximizing Tomato Productivity
To boost your tomato plant’s productivity, consider these additional tips:
Optimal Plant Spacing: Give your tomato plants room to breathe — but not an inch more. Proper spacing ensures adequate sunlight, reducing the risk of diseases and promoting healthy growth, but spacing plants too widely can leave them more vulnerable to pests.
Well-Draining Soil: Tomatoes aren't fans of soggy feet. Plant them in well-draining soil to prevent root rot and encourage robust growth.
Regular Feeding: Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Ensure the nutrients in your soil are balanced to supply essential support throughout the growing season. We recommend keeping your garden organic and doing this without adding chemical fertilizers.
Consistent Watering: Irregular watering can lead to issues like blossom end rot. Keep the soil consistently moist to support steady fruit development. Tomatoes need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
Maximizing Tomato Size
Dreaming of those hefty, brag-worthy tomatoes? Here's how:
Choose the Right Variety: Opt for varieties known for producing large fruits, such as Beefsteak or Brandywine. These varieties are renowned for their sizable yields. Remember our pruning tips? Removing excess flowers and the small fruits can allow the plant to channel its energy into a smaller number of bigger, better tomatoes.
Temperature Control: Extreme temperature fluctuations can impact fruit size. Ensure your tomatoes enjoy a consistent temperature range, especially during the critical pollination and fruit-setting stages by planting them in your garden at the right time.
Stress-Free Environment: Ensure your plants are stress-free. Adequate water, proper spacing, and disease prevention contribute to healthy growth and larger fruits.
Get Growing Tomatoes with Moonflower Kitchen Gardens
Mastering tomato cultivation involves a blend of art, scientific understanding and hands-on expertise.
Whether you prefer on-vine ripening or a more controlled off-vine approach, finding the right balance between pruning and priming for growth is the key to a thriving kitchen garden that will meet your needs.
At Moonflower Kitchen Gardens, we’re here to ensure your gardening experience is not only fruitful but filled with the sense of accomplishment that comes from growing your own delicious produce. Contact us today for individual garden coaching, or to set up your new kitchen garden.