Harvesting tomatoes... before the critters get to them

Growing your own heirloom tomatoes is one of the most pleasurable things about growing your own food. The taste is better than anything you could buy from a big supermarket, not to mention the lack of food miles from your backyard to your kitchen. But lurking along side the threat of not enough or too much rain each summer is the threat of the creatures small and medium who love your toms as much as you do.

Organic gardening means we don't reach for the synthetic sprays and deterrants, but use smart pest management with organic methods, sometimes that is just about timing.

Caterpillars, birds, bush rats and possums will all devour your homegrown tomatoes if they get the chance. So it's good practice to check your plants regularly for any signs of pests. Caterpillar poo also called "frass" is a sign you might find some holes burrowed into your precious fruits.

Did you know that as soon as you see the fruits change colour, just a little blush of yellow or pink or orange you're able to pick them, take them inside where they are safe and ripen them indoors.

Some say the flavour is not as developed as it would have been if it were "vine ripened", some say that's a marketing ploy to get you to buy someone's produce. We say, some is better than none, so if you want to reap what you sow, then pick early (but not too early) so you know your precious tasty tomatoes are safe inside, one step closer to being on your plate or in your next dinner.

What varieties of tomatoes are you growing this year? Do you grow more than one variety? Do you preserve your harvest into thick passata sauce or dehydrate for a POP of tomato flavour as a tasty snacking treat? Grow Lightly sells both seeds, seedlings and the fruits of tomatoes seasonally, so while it's getting late in the season, it's never too early to start planning for next summer's crops, tomato seeds are sown in Winter, as Winter seeds are sown in Summer and Autumn depending on variety.

We recommend trying different varieties to see what you like. My personal favourites are Cherokee Purple, Pineapple and Sweet Casaday. I love that umami zing, but some people prefer a smoother creamier sauce tomato like a Roma or San Marzano.