Harvesting Tomatoes

After a few weeks of  large tomatoes slowly ripening here and there.  The heirloom tomato plants are finally putting out tons of beautifully large ripe tomatoes.

A mix of heirloom tomatoes
A mix of heirloom tomatoes

I know tomatoes are considered a summer crop but I always think of them more as a fall crop.  With our cool nights here in Sonoma my tomatoes grow slowly through the summer and then yield heavily for the months of September and October.

Late summer crops at the farmers' market
Late summer crops at the farmers’ market

If you want to have a winter garden get out there now while the days are long and the temperatures are warm.  Direct seed root crops such as  carrots, beets, and turnips.

Carrots growing
Carrots growing

Transplant other crops like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions.  It’s a really busy time of year with all that needs to be harvested but take the time now to plant your winter garden and come November and December you’ll be feasting on tasty vegetables because of all your hard work in September.

Think ahead to have tasty greens in the winter
Think ahead to have tasty greens in the winter