Just because summer is winding down doesn't mean tomato season has to end! With the right care and planning, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful tomatoes well into the fall. Whether you're growing in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, these tips will help extend your harvest and keep your plants productive through the cooler months.

Here are 5 tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your fall tomato crop:

1. Choose the Right Tomato Varieties

For fall gardening, opt for early-maturing or determinate tomato varieties that ripen quickly. These types are more likely to produce fruit before the first frost. Great options include:

  • Bush Early Girl

  • Roma

  • Glacier

  • Patio Princess

Cherry tomatoes (like Sun Gold or Sweet 100) also tend to ripen faster and are more cold-tolerant.

Tip: If starting late, consider transplanting young seedlings instead of starting from seed.

2. Give Them a Warm Start

As temperatures begin to dip in early fall, tomatoes need a little extra help to stay cozy:

  • Use black plastic mulch to keep the soil warm.

  • Surround containers with straw or mulch for insulation.

  • Place your pots near a south-facing wall to capture more sunlight.

If cold nights are forecasted, use row covers, garden fabric, or cloches to trap warmth and protect the plants.

fall tomato harvest mulch straw

3. Prune and Focus the Energy

In fall, your plants have limited time and energy, so help them focus:

  • Pinch off new blossoms and small immature fruits that likely won’t ripen in time.

  • Prune back excessive foliage to improve air circulation and sun exposure.

  • Direct the plant’s energy to ripening existing fruit, not growing more leaves or flowers.

Less growth = more ripe tomatoes before frost hits!

4. Water Wisely and Cut Back Fertilizer

Cooler weather means slower evaporation, so overwatering becomes a risk:

  • Water deeply but less frequently, only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry.

  • Avoid splashing leaves to reduce disease risk.

  • Stop fertilizing once fruit is set — especially nitrogen, which encourages leaf growth over fruit ripening.

water fall tomato harvest plant

5. Harvest Before the First Frost

Keep a close eye on the weather forecast. When the first frost approaches:

  • Pick all mature green tomatoes and let them ripen indoors in a paper bag or on a sunny windowsill.

  • Store harvested tomatoes stem-side down in a single layer to prevent bruising.

Tomatoes can still ripen off the vine if they’ve reached their mature green stage.

🌿 Bonus Tip: Easy Pest Control – Remove Stink Bugs Naturally

Fall tomatoes are often targeted by stink bugs (also known as shield bugs), which pierce the fruit and cause damage. A simple, chemical-free way to get rid of them is to spray the plants with a strong jet of water from your garden hose.

  • Aim for the undersides of the leaves where bugs hide.

  • Do this in the morning so the plants can dry during the day.

  • Repeat every few days during peak bug season.

This method removes pests without harming your tomatoes — and no harsh chemicals needed!

🍂 Bonus Tip #2: Save Seeds for Next Season

Don’t toss those overripe fall tomatoes! Scoop out the seeds, rinse and dry them, and store in a cool, dark place for planting next year. Fall-grown tomatoes often produce hardier seeds.

Final Thoughts

With a little extra attention, you can stretch your tomato-growing season well into autumn. These five tips — plus some smart pest control — will help you get the most out of your plants before the chill of winter arrives. So grab your gardening gloves and give your tomatoes one last glorious run!