Tomatoes

B3

I'm going away for a week. If my tomato plants dry out and die, will the tomatoes still ripen?

Would I be better harvesting the ones that are beginning to colour up, or just leave them.

Who knows ?- It might rain anyway

Green Magpie

I never water mine at this time of year. I don't think there's much danger of them drying out, and anyway the tomatoes will probably be fine. Once they have started to change from green towards yellow, they will ripen either on or off the plant.

If you have plenty of tomatoes, you could always split your risks: leave some on the plant and bring some indoors. 

Fairygirl

I think Green Magpie's idea is good. Hedge your bets, but as said, once the fruits start turning, they'll ripen anyway.

If you're only away for a week, I doubt they'll come to too much harm, especially if you give them a really good soak before you go. That should be plenty to last a week at this time of year if they're outside. The fruit that's still to start ripening will do it slowly anyway, and you can always bring them in when you coime back if you're concerened they'll getspoiled by weather before they're ready.