Fresh from the vine - tomato harvesting

If you've planted tomato plants in your garden, you should now be reaping the benefits. Harvesting your tomatoes can be a delicate task, and you should be prepared to do this daily. If there are unripened tomatoes surrounding the ones that you are picking, be sure to hold the branch steady as you gently pull the fruit off the plant. This will avoid a "spring-back" effect that could knock the other fruits from the plant before they're ready. Always pick before your tomatoes turn a bright red - they will continue to ripen indoors, and will last longer this way. Avoid putting your picked tomatoes on your windowsill as this will speed the ripening and often spoil your fruit too soon.