Growing tomatoes

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

This is the first time I have tried to grow anything, and I planted tomatoes in pots and one in a topsy-turvy. I have a renegade mole that eats anything that has roots in the ground, so I went this route. I have a few tomatoes now, and one has turned red.
This is probably a stupid question to all you experienced gardeners, but how do I know when to pick them?

[Its5O'clockSomewhere Member Find all posts View Profile Close Its5O'clockSomewhere]

I'm just an ametuer gardener, but I pick then right before using them, so I wait till they are plump and red. Right now we have an excess, so I have to figure out how to can them.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Red is good.

I like mine with a little softness to the touch, not red and hard like the supermarket tomatoes. When my poppers (cherry tomatoes) are red, I pop them in my mouth. They go no further than the garden gate.

[javanite Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javanite]

I like them a bit firm and orange/red. If they are red/soft, you must use them right away.