[Marcus10]

As a novice, I have grown 4 types of Toms this year. Gardeners delight, Ailsa Craig, Marmandais and Tumbling Toms. I used a bit of heat in the Greenhouse earlier in the year but all are giving me plenty of Toms (except the  Aisa Craig which are only just starting to ripen).

So far, I have picked the Toms one at a time rather than a whole truss, slightly underripe, and each has continued to ripen in the kitchen taking another 2/3 days. I am cropping approx 10 toms a day, so I am very happy.

Am I doing the right thing or should I wait until a whole truss has ripened on the vine, before harvesting a truss at a time?

[GrannieAnnie]

Pick them as they ripen Marcus, and enjoy every one!   

Whereabouts are you in the world?  I haven't got one ripe tomato yet.

Put your rough location in your profile, it could help with future regional questions!   

[Ice]

Do what Grannieannie says and pick them as they ripen.  It's only the supermarket ones that seem to be all ripe at once.  Goodness knows what they do to them to have that appearance, but you can bet it's artificial.

[Marcus10]

Thanks, will do. I am in the South West but I used a heated propogator from Jan to March and then turned on the electric heater. Its was expensive but I wanted to be able to eat Tomatoes from June to October (although I might be tired of them by then!). So far so good.

I grew them outside last year and my crop was awful. I remember a friend of my wifes teasing me for having one plant with just a single tomato on it! That was it. A greenhouse and further vast outlays later, but at least this year I have already had lots of Tomatoes and Aubergines already.

[GrannieAnnie]

Don't get tired of them Marcus!  If you get fed up with so many tomatoes, chop some up and freeze them for soups and sauces over the winter.

Okay, no good for having on a salad, but beats a tin of soup any day!   

[Marcus10]

I wont get tired of them! Not this year! I am already planning what varieties to grow next year.  Still too excited that I am actually producing something to eat!

The Marmandais beef toms are pretty unexciting taste wise eaten raw but I have found that by roasting them, they become much sweeter and stronger tasting. Great for sauces and soups. I roasted a big batch last week to make into a lentil and Tomato soup. I was amazed that when I weighed them, there was just under 2 kilos of Toms-I must be doing something right. Perhaps it all down to the Chempak tomato feed