Harvesting Better Boy Tomatoes: Your Ultimate Timing Guide

Your Perfect Better Boy Tomato Harvest: Timing is Everything!

There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh, juicy tomato picked straight from your garden. And if you’re growing Better Boy tomatoes, you’re in for a real treat! Known for their generous yields and classic red flavor, Better Boy tomatoes are a favorite among home gardeners. But knowing when should I pick my Better Boy tomatoes is the secret to unlocking their best taste and texture.

Better Boy tomatoes are what we call ‘indeterminate’ varieties. This means they grow continuously throughout the season, producing fruit until the first frost. This prolonged harvest is fantastic, but it also means you’ll be picking them over several weeks, not all at once. Typically, these beauties are ready for harvest approximately 70-75 days after you transplant them into your garden. However, this is just a general guideline; the true indicators are in the fruit itself!

Signs Your Better Boy Tomatoes Are Ready to Pick

Timing your harvest perfectly ensures you get the most flavor and a delightful texture. Here’s what to look for:

• Color Transformation: This is often the most obvious sign. Your Better Boy tomatoes will start green, of course. As they mature, they’ll transition to a pale green, then develop a pinkish blush, eventually turning a beautiful, deep, uniform red. For the absolute best flavor, wait until they are fully red.
• Perfect Firmness: Gently squeeze a tomato. A ripe Better Boy should feel firm but yield ever so slightly to gentle pressure. If it’s rock hard, it’s not ready. If it’s mushy, it’s likely overripe.
• Aromatic Scent: Bring the tomato close to your nose, especially near the stem end. A ripe tomato will have that unmistakable, sweet, earthy tomato aroma that promises deliciousness.

The “Breaking Point” Strategy: Picking at First Blush

While waiting for a full, deep red is ideal for flavor, sometimes life (or garden pests!) has other plans. You can actually pick your Better Boy tomatoes when they show their first hint of color – often called the “breaking point” or “first blush.”

There are a few good reasons to do this:

• Pest Protection: Critters love ripe tomatoes as much as we do. Picking early can protect your harvest from birds, squirrels, and insects.
• Preventing Cracking: Sudden heavy rains after a dry spell can cause fully ripe tomatoes to crack. Picking them just as they start to turn color can prevent this.
• Controlled Ripening: Tomatoes picked at the breaking point will continue to ripen indoors at room temperature, away from the elements. This is a great way to extend your harvest and ensure perfectly ripe fruit for your kitchen.

To ripen them indoors, place them in a single layer in a paper bag or a cardboard box, away from direct sunlight. Adding a ripe banana or apple to the bag can even speed up the process, as they release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent.

How to Gently Harvest Your Better Boy Tomatoes

Once you’ve determined your tomatoes are ready, it’s time to pick them! Handle them with care to avoid bruising.

• Twist and Pull: Gently cup the tomato in your hand and twist it until the stem easily separates from the vine.
• Use Pruners: For a cleaner break and to prevent stressing the plant, you can use sharp garden scissors or pruners. Cut the stem just above the calyx (the leafy part at the top of the fruit).
• Leave a Bit of Stem: Leaving a small piece of stem attached to the tomato can actually help it last longer after harvest.

Storing Your Delicious Better Boy Harvest

Proper storage is key to enjoying your fresh tomatoes for as long as possible:

• Room Temperature is Best: Store fully ripe tomatoes at room temperature (ideally between 55-70°F / 13-21°C) on your counter, away from direct sunlight. They’ll generally keep well for a few days.
• Avoid the Fridge (for Ripe Ones): Refrigerating ripe tomatoes can degrade their flavor and make them mealy. Only put them in the fridge if they are starting to get soft and you need to extend their life by a day or two, understanding there might be a slight compromise in taste.
• Ripening Underripe Tomatoes: As mentioned, green or blush-colored tomatoes will ripen beautifully at room temperature.

Common Tomato Troubles and Quick Fixes

Even seasoned gardeners face challenges. Here are a few common issues and how to tackle them:

• Cracking: Often caused by inconsistent watering (dry spell followed by heavy rain). Ensure consistent moisture, especially as fruits ripen.
• Blossom End Rot: This ugly black patch on the bottom of the fruit is due to a calcium deficiency, often brought on by inconsistent watering. Again, consistent watering is key.
• Sun Scald: White or yellow leathery patches on the side of the fruit indicate too much direct sun. Ensure plants have enough foliage to protect the ripening fruit.
• Pests: Keep an eye out for hornworms or other common tomato pests. Hand-picking or organic pest control methods can save your harvest.

Tips for a Bountiful Better Boy Harvest

To ensure your Better Boy tomatoes thrive and yield a fantastic harvest:

• Consistent Watering: Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry periods and when fruits are forming. Aim for moist, not soggy, soil.
• Proper Support: These indeterminate plants can grow quite tall. Use sturdy stakes or cages to support them and prevent fruits from touching the ground.
• Rich Soil: Plant in well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
• Balanced Fertilization: Feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer, switching to one with higher potassium as fruits begin to set.
• Pest and Disease Management: Regularly inspect your plants for any signs of trouble and address them promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Better Boy Tomatoes

How long do Better Boy tomatoes take to ripen after planting?

From the time you transplant your Better Boy seedlings into the garden, they typically take about 70-75 days to start producing ripe fruit. Remember, this is an average, and weather conditions can influence the exact timing.

Can I pick Better Boy tomatoes when they are still green?

Absolutely! You can pick Better Boy tomatoes when they are mature green (meaning they’ve reached their full size but haven’t changed color yet) or when they show their first blush of color. They will continue to ripen beautifully indoors at room temperature, making them less susceptible to pests and cracking on the vine.

How can I make my Better Boy tomatoes ripen faster?

For tomatoes picked at the mature green or blush stage, you can speed up ripening by placing them in a paper bag or a cardboard box with a ripe banana or apple. These fruits release ethylene gas, which encourages ripening. Ensure they are kept at room temperature (65-70°F / 18-21°C) and away from direct sunlight.

Enjoy Your Homegrown Better Boy Tomatoes!

Growing Better Boy tomatoes is a truly rewarding experience, especially when you master the art of knowing exactly when should I pick my Better Boy tomatoes. By paying attention to color, firmness, and scent, and applying these simple harvesting and storage tips, you’ll be enjoying the freshest, most flavorful tomatoes possible. Happy harvesting!