You’ve watered, pruned, and fertilised your tomato plants for weeks, and now the fruits are starting to appear! But when’s the perfect time to pick them?
Knowing when to harvest tomatoes makes a huge difference in taste and quality.
To get the best flavour, many gardeners wait for tomatoes to ripen on the vine. But this can make the fruits more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Alternatively, you can pick tomatoes just as they start to ripen. Don’t harvest them too soon, though, or they might not ripen properly.
If you’re in doubt, here’s how to tell when your tomatoes are ready to pick — whether you’re harvesting at peak ripeness or a bit earlier!
When to Harvest Tomatoes | Picking Ripe Tomatoes | Picking at the Breaker Stage | How to Pick Tomatoes | Ripening Tomatoes Indoors
When Do Tomatoes Produce Fruit?
How long before your plant produces fruit depends on the tomato variety you planted!
Some varieties produce fruit early, even as quickly as 60–70 days after sowing tomato seeds. Examples are:
- Crimson Crush
- Gold Nugget
- Tommy Toe
On the other hand, some varieties mature later, so you might need to wait about 80–100 days after planting.
Among the late-maturing varieties are:
- Brandywine
- Grosse Lisse
- San Marzano
Know your tomato or check the seed packet if you bought from seeds, so you’ll know when you’re bound to harvest.
Keep in mind that growing tomatoes in the right conditions (warm temperatures, well-drained soil, and 6–8 hours of direct sun daily) encourages healthy fruit!
When to Pick Tomatoes in Australia
The tomato picking season in Australia varies depending on your local climate.
In cold and temperate regions, tomatoes are usually harvested in summer and autumn.
In tropical and subtropical climates, tomatoes are grown and picked for much of the year. However, it’s better to pick them during the dry season (winter to spring) to avoid disease.
As for the exact timing, you have two options. Either let the tomatoes ripen on the vine or pick them earlier at the breaker stage (when they flush out the first mature colour).
Many home gardeners prefer to harvest fully ripe fruit to get the best flavour!
But if you want to protect the fruit from harsh weather or pests, you can harvest them a bit early and let them ripen indoors.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| LETTING TOMATOES RIPEN ON THE VINE | HARVESTING TOMATOES AT THE BREAKER STAGE |
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Pros
Cons
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Pros
Cons
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If you still can’t decide, we’ll walk you through each method in detail!
Option 1: Letting Tomatoes Ripen on the Vine
If you’re growing tomatoes known for their flavour — like San Marzano or Tommy Toe — it’s worth letting the tomatoes ripen on the vine before picking!
Pros of picking ripe tomatoes
Tomatoes harvested at their peak maturity are often sweeter, with a richer and more complex flavour.
Letting the fruit mature on the plant also boosts its nutritional value.
That’s because tomatoes produce more lycopene (a great antioxidant) as they ripen.
And honestly? There’s nothing quite like picking fresh, homegrown tomatoes straight from your backyard. And then, you can eat or cook them right away!
Cons of picking ripe tomatoes
Letting tomatoes ripen on the vine may give you the best flavour, but this method also comes with a few disadvantages.
One drawback is that fruits don’t always ripen evenly on the plant. Tomatoes (even those in the same cluster) often mature at different times, too.
That’s usually due to uneven sunlight, cold temperatures, or nutrient imbalance.
Another risk is fruit splitting, which happens when the tomato’s skin cracks as the fruit absorbs water too quickly. This is common after heavy rain or if you’ve been watering inconsistently.
Moreover, the longer the fruit stays on the plant, the longer it’s exposed to outdoor hazards.
That can lead to sunscald in hot climates or fungal disease in rainy seasons. Pests like caterpillars, fruit flies, or even birds and possums can also feed on tomatoes!
How to keep tomatoes healthy on the vine
Waiting for tomatoes to ripen on the vine comes with some risks, but there are ways to protect the fruits!
SUNLIGHT: Tomatoes need 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for proper ripening. If it gets too hot in the afternoon, provide some shade to prevent fruit sunscald.
WATERING: Water consistently, and don’t let the soil stay dry for too long. Inconsistent watering can cause fruit problems like blossom-end rot or cracking.
MULCHING: To retain soil moisture, layer organic mulch — such as straw or grass clippings — around the base of the plants. Leave space around the stem for airflow.
PRUNING: Prune tomato plants regularly. Remove suckers and yellowing leaves for good air circulation and to channel the plant’s energy to ripening fruit.
SUPPORT: Support tomato plants with a sturdy stake or a wide cage to help the stems carry the fruit’s weight.
PEST CONTROL: Place fruit clusters in mesh bags, or set up a net over the plants. Make sure it’s properly secured to keep pests away.
How to tell when tomatoes are ripe on the vine
You’ll know that tomatoes are ripe and ready to pick when you see these signs:
- Smooth, glossy skin
- Uniform, mature colour all over the fruit
- Firm but with a slight yield when gently pressed
Keep in mind that the colours of mature tomatoes differ between varieties.
Most varieties are red when ripe, but others turn yellow (like Yellow Pear) or purple (Cherokee Purple). There are also green tomatoes even when mature, like Green Zebra.
It helps to know the variety you planted, so you’ll know what colour to watch for.
A perfectly ripe tomato will also detach easily from the vine with just a gentle twist or tug. If you have to force it, it’s not ready!
If you’re still unsure about the tomatoes’ ripeness, pick one or two fruits for a taste test. Those closest to the base of the plant are usually the first to mature.
Slice the fruit open — the flesh should be evenly coloured and juicy. Taste a small piece, and if the flavour and texture are just right, use that tomato as your baseline.
Pick others with the same colour and firmness for the best results.
Option 2: Picking Tomatoes at the Breaker Stage
Another option is to pick tomatoes at the breaker stage, or when they first show a hint of their mature colour.
And yes — these tomatoes will still ripen after picking!
Pros of picking tomatoes at the breaker stage
Harvesting the fruits earlier will allow you to protect them from common tomato problems!
Here are some advantages of picking tomatoes at the breaker stage:
FEWER FRUIT PROBLEMS: Tomatoes left on the vine are more at risk of splitting after heavy rain or developing sunscald in very hot weather.
PROTECTION FROM PESTS: Letting tomatoes ripen indoors protects them from caterpillars, birds, and other small animals.
LOWER DISEASE RISK: Humid conditions outdoors can increase the chances of fungal or bacterial infections in tomatoes.
BIGGER YIELD: Harvesting tomatoes early tells the plant to redirect energy towards new flowers and fruits, rather than ripening existing ones.
EVEN RIPENING: Breaker-stage tomatoes usually ripen more evenly indoors vs. fruits left on the vine!
Cons of picking tomatoes at the breaker stage
Tomatoes picked before they’re fully ripe usually don’t taste as rich or sweet as those that ripened on the vine.
And if you don’t know exactly when to pick the fruits, you might end up with very young tomatoes that might not ripen off the vine.
Identifying tomatoes at the breaker stage
It’s crucial to pick tomatoes at just the right time — that means at the breaker stage!
The breaker stage comes right after the ‘mature green stage’, when the fruit is already full-sized but still completely green on the outside.
At the breaker stage, the tomatoes start to flush out their mature colour, which means they’re at the earliest stage of ripening.
This is also when they begin producing ethylene, the hormone that causes ripening.
Some signs that a tomato is in the breaker stage are:
- Skin that’s slightly shinier than before
- Firm but not hard when gently pressed
- A hint of mature colour (less than 10% of the surface)
Breaker-stage tomatoes also separate easily from the vine with a light twist or lift. Don’t force it or you might damage the stem!
NOTE: Very young, unripe tomatoes usually won’t ripen off the vine, as they haven’t begun producing ethylene yet.
How to Pick Tomatoes
The best time of day to pick tomatoes is in the morning when temperatures are cooler.
Avoid picking tomatoes when the plants or fruits are wet, as moisture can make them more prone to bruising and disease.
To pick a tomato, hold the fruit gently with one hand. Locate the elbow or the joint on the stem just above the fruit.
Apply slight pressure to the joint, then twist the tomato upward — it should snap off cleanly.
If most fruits in a cluster are fully ripe or at the breaker stage, you can harvest the entire cluster.
Find the stem that connects the cluster to the main vine, then make a clean cut using sharp shears or scissors.
Always support the tomato fruits as you pick, and handle them carefully to prevent any damage to the fruit or stem!
How to Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
You can let tomatoes ripen indoors after picking them at the breaker stage.
And if frost is approaching and you want to let your tomatoes ripen on the vine, that’s possible, too — but you’ll need to bring the entire plant inside!
Ripening tomatoes after picking
For small batches, place tomatoes in a brown paper bag (about 5–10 tomatoes per bag). Paper is best because it can trap ethylene gas while still allowing some airflow.
You can add a ripe banana or apple to the bag. These fruits produce plenty of ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process.
Fold the top of the bag loosely, then place it in a warm, dry spot — like on top of a kitchen benchtop!
Alternatively, you can keep tomatoes in a cardboard box lined with old newspapers or any sheet of paper.
Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching each other. The stem side should be facing down to prevent bruising.
Check the tomatoes daily. Remove any ones that have ripened, and use them right away.
Ripening tomatoes on the plant
If frost or cold weather is on the way and your tomato plants still have plenty of very young, green fruit, there’s a way to let them ripen indoors!
For potted tomatoes, move them inside and place them near a bright, sunny window. If sunlight is limited, use grow lights for 14–16 hours a day.
For tomatoes growing in garden beds, you’ll need to uproot and hang the plants upside down.
Just note that this method works best for determinate varieties. Indeterminate types are usually too tall and tied to extensive support structures.
Start by gently loosening the soil around the base of the tomatoes. Lift the plant, taking care not to damage the roots.
Shake off the excess soil, then move the plant to a cool, dry spot like a garage or basement. Hang it upside down using a sturdy hook or clothesline.
The plant will continue feeding the fruit and releasing ethylene gas, helping the tomatoes ripen gradually over the next few weeks.
Check the fruits regularly — harvest any that are fully ripe or at the breaker stage.
FAQs About Picking Tomatoes
Need more tips on when (or how) to pick tomatoes? We’ve got you covered with these most frequently asked questions!
When to pick cherry tomatoes
You can pick cherry tomatoes at the breaker stage (when they start flushing out their mature colour) or wait for them to ripen on the vine.
Just keep in mind that cherry tomatoes tend to mature quickly, so be sure to check if they’re ready to pick every day!
You can also harvest cherry tomatoes in clusters since they tend to ripen at the same time, unlike other varieties.
Always use sharp shears or scissors when harvesting an entire cluster!
When to pick heirloom tomatoes
It’s best to harvest heirloom tomatoes when they’re fully ripe on the vine — this will give you the best possible flavour!
While waiting for the fruits to ripen, water the plants consistently and make sure they get lots of sunlight.
Then, pick the tomatoes when they have developed their mature colour. The fruit should yield slightly when pressed and detach easily from the vine with a gentle twist.
How to avoid tomatoes splitting after picking
To keep tomatoes from splitting after picking, avoid harvesting the fruits when they’re wet from rain. Moisture can soften the fruit’s skin and make it prone to cracking.
It’s also best to pick tomatoes early in the morning when temperatures are cooler.
Moreover, leave a short piece of stem attached to the fruit when picking to avoid stressing out the skin.
