• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Home Garden Joy
  • Home
  • How to Garden
    • Seed Starting
    • Plant Profiles
    • Tools & Equipment
    • Raised Bed Gardening
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Herbs
  • About
    • Books & Classes
      • Herbalism Classes
      • Books for Christian Herbalists
      • Privacy Policy

Is It Time to Pull Out the Tomato Plants?

August 30, 2012 by Jeanne

The end of August should be prime tomato growing season. This is usually the time of year when the big yellow bowl on my kitchen island overflows with all types of juicy red tomatoes. Usually we are so sick of tomatoes by this time of year that we’re blanching, freezing, and processing as many as we can to save for a future date.

But this year was different. The derecho that swept through at the end of June toppled nearly all my tomato plants. Many were knocked flat, stakes and supports uprooted, vines tumbling everywhere. I admit too that with the heat and the drought I sort of gave up on them. I was diligent about taking care of the plants in May.  I was out there weekly pinching off side shoots, tying the branches up with soft cloth, doing all the things you’re supposed to do.  But then the derecho knocked them all down and I couldn’t get them upright again, and we sort of gave up on them, letting the plants drape this way and that.

Many of the tomatoes were lost but many just didn’t come to peak taste, flavor or color this year, either. The cherry tomatoes were all right and at the start of the season we got some nice Beefstake tomatoes. Early Girl and Supersonic were hits. Mortgage Lifter is just too ‘meaty’ for my family’s tastes.  The special heirloom variety seeds I obtained in the Master Gardener class this spring didn’t live, so I never did get to taste green striped tomatoes…

We still have some smaller tomatoes coming in, but mostly it’s a big tangle of ugly dead vines.  I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just pull out the tomato plants or leave them for now?  If I pull them out I can clean up that area of the garden and free up space for the broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seedings growing in trays on my front porch right now. On the other hand, I might miss out on more tomatoes!

Decisions, decisions…

Filed Under: Vegetable Gardening

Previous Post: « Fall Vegetable Gardening Plans
Next Post: How to Grow Gaillardia or Blanket Flower »

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

As Seen in Porch

 As Seen in Porch

We were featured in Porch.com and answered reader's questions about indoor plants.

Explore All Gardening Articles

Latest Articles

  • Growing Eggplant: A Guide for Gardeners
  • Volunteer Plants – Nature’s Unexpected Gifts
  • Free eBook on Herbal Safety

Herbalism Classes & Supplies

Goods Shop by Herbal Academy – botanically inspired products

Disclosure

Home Garden Joy participates in two affiliate programs: Amazon and The Herbal Academy. Home Garden Joy earns a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. As an Herbal Academy Associate, HGJ also earns a commission when you sign up for classes or purchase herbs or supplies from The Herbal Academy. Herbal information and recipes on this site are provided for educational purposes only.

Footer

a tea pot, cup and saucer with mint leaves on the saucer

Free eBook on Herbal Safety

The Herbal Academy is offering a free ebook on herbal safety! I just sent an email out to our Home Garden Joy community and downloaded my copy and WOW – not only is it chock-full of information, it’s beautiful to look at, too. And free. Did I mention free? Learn More About Using Herbs –…

Read More

a closeup of watermelon

Watermelon in the Home Garden

Growing watermelon in the home garden is not for the faint of heart. I have plenty of room, and it still threatened to take over the garden. You will either need to leave a lot of room for the sprawling vines or look for varieties specifically marked for containers. Growing it on a trellis is…

Read More

a zucchini growing in a raised bed

Growing Zucchini in Raised Beds

Growing zucchini in raised beds ensures that this prolific vegetable has the best conditions to thrive. You can grow zucchini in pots or containers, but I prefer growing it in raised beds. This is a great vegetable to grow if you have a “black thumb” and kill plastic plants, because it’s hard to grow a…

Read More

a close up of onions

How to Grow Onions in Your Backyard

Wondering how to grow onions? I’ve grown onions here at Seven Oaks Farm in several ways: from “sets” or starter plants and from store-bought onions that sprouted in the bag! Onions don’t require much space, and you can grow a lot for the money you spend on starter plants. Let’s take a look at how…

Read More

  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Awards

Copyright © 2025 Home Garden Joy on the Foodie Pro Theme