Tomatoes: shall I bring them in now?

[Annemieke]

We grow our tomatoes outside, and sooner or later they always get blight. At the moment there is no sign of it yet. Is it sensible to pick them and in bring them in now, or will they benefit from being left outside till the very first signs of the disease?

[albertajune]

I think I am right in saying that if blight is already in the plants, it will still come out in the tomatoes even if they are brought in. I did this the other year, so just writing from my experience.

[Annemieke]

Thanks Albertajune - yes I have found that tomatoes once inside may still develop blight. I just hoped that the earlier I bring them in, the less chance of that.

[Richard]

If some aren't quite ripe (still green), put them inside Drawers and it will speed them up.
Like Apples though, separate them so they aren't touching.

Lot's of Chutneys, Sauces and everything else

Richard

[Annemieke]

Mind you, they seem to have got something else this year: alternaria canker .... Never had that before. I hope it does not progress too fast.

[Mo]

I had to Google that.

[OllyJolly]

If you put them in a draw how long does it take for them to ripen if they're still a bit green?