The Demo Garden Blog

Vine-ripened tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables in the garden. While National Tomato Month is in the fall (October), tomato harvesting in Kansas gardens starts in early summer¹.  With the appearance of many green tomatoes, we anticipate a bountiful tomato harvest from the Demo Garden soon!

Botanical Identification

Tomatoes are members of the genus Solanum and belong to the diverse nightshade (Solanaceae) family. Tomato cultivars in today’s gardens all originated from the species Solanum lycopersicum².

Demo Garden Tomatoes

While many gardeners prefer to transplant selected tomato varieties in the garden, most of the tomatoes in the Demo Garden were started from seed.  Members of the Tomato Bed group selected the varieties for the color of fruit, heirloom quality and “a favorite” of the Bed Captain (hint: it’s the Red Deuce).  The next page shows details about the tomato varieties grown in our Demo Garden.

A Purple Cherry Tomato?

YES! The Purple Tomato, is a tomato plant mixed with snapdragon DNA to produce a health-enhanced tomato. Specifically, this tomato is genetically modified to increase antioxidant anthocyanins, similar to blueberries (https://www.norfolkhealthyproduce.com/pages/health).

Harvesting Tomatoes

As described in the Kansas Garden Guide¹, tomatoes can ripen on the plant or indoors. When outdoor temperature reach 95°F or above, gardeners are encouraged to harvest fruit showing a tinge of color and ripen them inside. Such early harvesting helps reduce the chance of cracking, fruit rot, and other damage (p. 187).

Before frost in fall, all tomatoes showing a hint of color, or green with a faint white star at the bottom, can be harvested and stored in the basement will usually produce fresh ripe tomatoes well after the first frost¹ (p. 188). To prepare the fruit for storage, remove the stem and wipe with a soft cloth. Wrapping each fruit in waxed paper or newspaper is recommended to promote ripening until Thanksgiving or later³.

Pests and Problems

While all tomato growers hope to experience a plentiful, problem-free harvest of tomatoes, there can be some issues experienced. Specific pests, disease and environmental problems are described in K-State publications listed at the end of this post^2-5.

Wishing you healthy tomatoes & a plentiful harvest.

Thanks for joining us on the Demo Garden Blog! More posts coming soon….

Contributing Writer: Victoria Mosack, Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener 

Remember to Donate to Plant a Row & ICT Food Rescue

Produce from our Demo Garden vegetable harvest is donated to the Sedgwick County Plant a Row (PAR) program and distributed by ICT Food Rescue. There’s more information about PAR and harvest drop-off locations at the Sedgwick County Local Foods website, thanks for your help! 

References for Totally Tomatoes Post

1. McMahon, R., Cloyd, R., et al. (2023). Kansas Garden Guide (pp. 186-188, 195), accessed June 19, 2025 at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/kansas-garden-guide_S51.pdf
2. Kennelly, M. (2009). Tomato Leaf and Fruit Diseases and Disorders. Kansas State University, accessed June 19, 2025 at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/tomato-leaf-and-fruit-diseases-and-disorders_L721.pdf
3. Upham, W., et al. (2018). Tomatoes. Kansas State University, accessed June 19, 2025 at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/tomatoes_MF312.pdf
4. Cloyd, R. (2020). Insect and Mite Pests of Vegetable Gardens. Kansas State University, accessed June 19, 2025 at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/insect-and-mite-pests-of-vegetable-gardens_MF3480.pdf
5. Cloyd, R. Insect and Mite Pests of Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes. Kansas State University, accessed July 1, 2025 at: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/insect-and-mite-pests-of-greenhouse-grown-tomatoes_MF3705
6. Buller, T, & O’Mara, J. (2020). Taking Care of Tomatoes. K-State Garden Hour, May 27, 2020 available at: https://youtu.be/TNFuGlhkRoE?si=gz7DYra_zDyWGQgn