You’re doing it all wrong. Here’s the right time to actually pick tomatoes

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**You’re Doing It All Wrong: Here’s the Right Time to Actually Pick Tomatoes**

Tomatoes are one of the most satisfying crops to grow—whether you’re working with a backyard garden or a few pots on the patio. But here’s a surprising truth: **most people are picking them at the wrong time.**

If you’ve ever been disappointed by bland, mealy, or underwhelming tomatoes, the problem might not be your soil or your watering habits—it could simply be **your timing.**

Let’s clear up the confusion and learn **exactly when** to pick tomatoes for the best flavor, texture, and shelf life.

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### 🍅 Myth: Tomatoes Must Ripen Fully on the Vine

While it sounds ideal to let tomatoes fully ripen in the sun, doing so can actually lead to **overripe, mushy fruit**—especially if you’re in a hot or humid climate. Plus, the longer a tomato stays on the plant once it starts ripening, the more likely it is to suffer from cracking, pests, or rot.

The good news? **Tomatoes continue to ripen after picking**, thanks to a natural plant hormone called ethylene.

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### ✅ The Right Time to Pick: The “Breaker Stage”

The best time to harvest a tomato is when it hits the **breaker stage**—when the fruit just begins to show a blush of its final color (red, orange, yellow, etc.) at the blossom end. At this point:

* The tomato has stopped growing in size
* It’s about 50% mature in color
* It will **ripen perfectly off the vine** within a few days at room temperature
* The flavor will be **just as good—if not better—than vine-ripened**