亲子英语Field Trip材料——西红柿采摘

When and How To Pick Tomatoes: Right Time and Way to Harvest

何时及如何摘西红柿：收获的恰当时机和方式

Picking ripe tomatoes from plants seems very easy but that is the tricky part of the tomato harvesting process. Harvesting tomatoes at the right time following the right method give you the quality and flavorful fruits than your neighbor gardeners who just pick their tomatoes roughly.

从植株上摘西红柿似乎很容易，但在西红柿的成熟过程中，那却是个棘手的问题。和你的邻居“简单粗暴”地摘西红柿相比，按照正确的方法在恰当的时间收获西红柿，能让你收获品质更高且味道更鲜美的西红柿。

When to Pick Tomatoes- 6 Tips to Choose the Right Time

何时摘西红柿–选择正确时间的6个技巧

Changing the fruit color is the primary sign to know your tomatoes are ripening. But there are some other indicators to decide when to pick tomatoes. You may find more than 10,000 tomato varieties out there and they got different colors. Most of the tomatoes are red but you may find purple, black, pink, yellow, white, and other colors.

So, there are several things to consider before picking tomatoes from plants as follows.

颜色的变化是西红柿走向成熟的主要标志。但是，还要通过其他指标判断何时能摘西红柿。你可能会找到10000种西红柿，他们的颜色并不一样。大部分西红柿是红色的，但是你可能会找到紫色、黑色、粉色、黄色、白色和其他颜色。所以，在摘西红柿之前，需要考虑如下几点。

1: Tomato Color Stages 西红柿颜色

According to a study on Optimum procedures for ripening tomatoes found that the tomatoes can be picked up by its color. This color indication will confirm you when your tomatoes are ready to pick and get the best flavorful tomatoes.

根据一项关于西红柿最佳成熟过程的研究，发现可以通过颜色来判断何时采摘。这些颜色将告诉你西红柿什么时候能摘，以及如何摘到最美味的西红柿。

At the primary stage tomato plants start flowering and shortly they turned into immature fruits. Then the fruits start growing larger. After a few weeks later they reach their final size and appear “immature green” color.

在初生阶段，番茄植株开始开花，不久后花朵变成未成熟的果实。随后，果实开始长大。几周后，这些西红柿长到最终大小，并呈现出“未成熟的绿色”。

Then the tomatoes start ripening and the deep green color gradually turned into light green color. It happens because the green fruits ultimately lose their chlorophyll （/klrfl/ 叶绿素）during the ripening process and the carotenoids(/krtndz/ 类胡萝卜素) and lycopene（/lakpin/番茄红素） help to develop the final color of the tomatoes.

然后，西红柿开始成熟，深绿色逐渐变成浅绿色。因为，在成熟过程中，叶绿素最终会从绿色的果实中“流失殆尽”，而类胡萝卜素和番茄红素有助于形成西红柿的最终颜色。

After reaching the matured green stage the blossom end shows a light green color. Then, due to color variations, different colors may appear at the blossom end of tomatoes like yellow to pink or other colors.

进入成熟绿色阶段后，花萼端呈现出浅绿色。此后，由于颜色的渐变，西红柿花萼端可能出现不同的颜色变化，例如从黄色变为粉色，或者其他颜色。

This blossom end color indicates the ultimate fruit color of those particular tomato varieties. This color-changing at the blossom ends from light green to other colors that are called the “Breaker Stage”.

花萼端颜色显示了特定西红柿品种的最终颜色。花萼端颜色从浅绿色变为其他颜色，这个一阶段被称为“破色期”。

Once the tomatoes reach the breaker stage, they finish ripening up off the vine. In addition, the tomatoes get the full flavor or very close to it at this stage.

一旦西红柿到达“破色期”，就意味着它们已经在藤上处于成熟状态。此外，西红柿的味道也已经成熟，或者已经非常接近成熟的状态。

If you start to pick up your tomatoes from the breaker stage and keep them indoors at room temperature for a few weeks they will ripen naturally.

如果你从“破色期”就开始摘西红柿，并将它们在室温状态下放置几周，它们将会自然成熟。

So, as a home gardener, I recommend you pick up your tomatoes once they reach the breaker stage. Because this will maintain the standard of the taste and flavor of the tomatoes. Moreover, this will protect your tomatoes from fruit cracking（裂纹）, sunscald（/snskld/n.晒伤，日灼病） and blossom end rot. In addition, it will also help to ripen faster the other immature fruits on the vine.

所以，如果自己在家种西红柿，我建议在西红柿进入“破色期”后就摘下来。因为，这样能够保持西红柿的味道及滋味。另外，这也会让西红柿免受裂开、晒伤和花萼端腐烂的影响。在“破色期”后摘西红柿还能加速植株上其他西红柿的成熟。

2: Check the Firmness and Weight of Tomatoes 检查西红柿的硬度和重量

Once your tomatoes get the ripening color then gently squeeze those tomatoes to check the firmness. If you feel they are slightly firm that’s perfect. If you get, they are too hard then give them a few more days to ripe properly on the vine.

西红柿变为成熟的颜色后，轻捏一下以检查其硬度。如果你觉得西红柿有点硬，那就很完美。如果你发现他们太硬了，就让西红柿在藤上多长几天。

On the other hand, if you find them too soft that means they are over-ripe. So, pick them up and use them for suitable dishes instantly.

另一方面，如果你发现西红柿太软了，那就意味着他们熟过头了。所以，赶快摘下来，用它们做合适的菜品。

Once the tomatoes ripen perfectly, they become heavier than unripe tomatoes. A fully ripe tomato gets denser（dense/dens/比较级，浓稠的，稠密的） and when you drop them onto water, they will sink on it. This is the final test to confirm your tomatoes are ready to pick or not.

一旦西红柿完全成熟，它们会比未成熟的西红柿重。当你把它们放在水里时，它们会沉下去。这是确认西红柿是否可以采摘的最后的检测。

3: Know the Tomato Varieties 了解西红柿的品种

At first, identify your tomato varieties whether growing from seeds or seedlings. If you buy seeds from the gardening store just see the seed packets to know the details of that particular tomato variety.

首先，确定西红柿是从种子长成的，还是从幼苗长成的。如果你是从商店里买的种子，那么从种子包装上就能知道西红柿的品种。

On the other side, if you collect seeds from your friends or neighbors or get seedling from your local nursery then you must need to confirm the following things of the tomatoes before harvesting.

另一方面，如果你从朋友或者邻居处获得西红柿幼苗，亦或从当地苗圃中得到幼苗，那么你需要在西红柿成熟前确认以下事项。

A: Growth Type 生长类型

Tomatoes can be divided into determinate and indeterminate varieties based on their growth type. However, you may also find semi-determinate tomatoes beyond those varieties of tomatoes.

根据生长类型，西红柿可以分为丛生型和蔓生型。然而，除此之外，你还会发现半丛生型西红柿。

Determinate tomatoes are bushier in types that grow for a certain length. After that, they produce fruits in the cluster（/klstr/ n.簇） and ripen all at once.

丛生型西红柿更为繁茂，能够长到一定长度。此后，它们的果实生长在一簇植株上，并同时成熟。

The whole harvesting process completes within two weeks once start ripening fruits. So, you can harvest the whole plants at a time. This type of tomatoes mainly uses for canning or making sauces.

果实开始成熟至完全成熟历时2周。因此，你可以同时收获整个植株上的西红柿。这个品种的西红柿主要用于制作罐装西红柿和番茄酱。

Indeterminate tomatoes are vine types that continue growing and producing flowers and fruits until the first frost come. These types of tomatoes need support to grow and produce fruits.

蔓生型西红柿属于藤蔓植物，在第一次霜降来临前，它们会不断生长，开花结果。该类西红柿需要支撑才能生长、结果。

Besides regular pruning（/prun/ 修剪） also helps produce good quality fruits and ripen them faster. Here you have to check and pick the fruits daily.

除此之外，定期修剪也会有助于生产优质果实，并使其更快成熟。这里，你必须要每天检查，并采摘成熟的果实。

Semi-determinate tomatoes grow for a certain length but continue blooming and producing fruits until the frost appears. In that case, you need to make a schedule for picking tomatoes regularly.

半蔓生西红柿会长到一定长度，但在第一次霜降来临前，还会不断开花结果。在这种情况下，你需要制定采摘西红柿的时间表。

B: Color 颜色

Most of the tomato varieties turn red color during the harvesting time. But you may also find some other colors like orange, green-yellow, purple, pink, or multi-color fruits at the final stage of harvesting tomatoes.

大多数品种的西红柿在收获期会变成红色。但是，在收获西红柿的最后阶段，你会发现一些其他颜色，例如橙色、黄绿色、紫色、粉色或多色西红柿。

So, you might know the final color of your tomatoes to understand they are ripening.

因此，你可以通过西红柿的颜色了解他们是否成熟。

C: Days of Maturity 成熟期

The maturity date is another important factor to know when to pick tomatoes. When you buy seeds or seedling from a gardening store or nursery then seed packets or plant tags will give you this basic information.

成熟期是何时采摘西红柿的另一个重要因素。如果你从商店或者苗圃购买种子或者幼苗，外包装或者标签上会提供这些基本信息。

Besides, when you get seeds or seedling from your friends or neighbors ask them to know this information.

此外，你从朋友或邻居那里得到种子或幼苗时，向他们询问这些信息。

4: Picking Tomatoes Earlier to Avoid Fruit Problems 提早采摘西红柿以避免果实出问题

If your tomatoes show any symptom of fruit cracking or blossom end rot problem, this is the high time to pick them up earlier at the matured green stages.

如果你的西红柿出现任何裂果或花萼端腐烂的征兆，在成熟绿色阶段，提早采摘西红柿的时机到了。

Picking tomatoes earlier helps you to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Both of the problems caused by environmental effects like temperature fluctuation （/flktuen/波动）, nutrient （/nutrint/ n. 养分，营养物adj. 营养的，滋养的）deficiency, heavy rainfall, irregular watering, poor soil condition, uneven moisture level, hot and dry weather condition, and so many factors.

提早采摘西红柿有助于防止花萼端腐烂和果裂。上述两种症状的产生受到环境的影响，例如温度波动，营养不足，暴雨，无规律的浇水，土壤条件差，适度不均匀，天气炎热干燥等诸多因素。

It’s true that harvesting tomatoes earlier at the matured green stage will give you less flavorful fruits than vine-ripe tomatoes. But it will also help you to avoid some problems and confirm a safe harvest.

的确，在成熟绿色阶段提早采摘西红柿，和自然长熟的西红柿相比，味道欠佳。但是，这有助于避免一些问题，从而确保收获的果实安全。

5: Pull Up the Entire Tomato Plants Earlier with Fruits Due to Environmental Effects

为应对环境影响，提前将整个西红柿植株连同果实一起拔掉

Some of your tomatoes may unripe on plant stem when the first frost will come. In that case, you can pull up the whole tomato plants by its roots before the frost fall. After that, hang up the plant’s upside down with a room temperature (68°-77° F) in your basement or garage.

在第一次霜冻来临之时，一些长在植株上的西红柿还未成熟。在这种情况下，你可以将西红柿植株连根拔起。之后，在地下室或车库中，将西红柿在室温下（68-77华氏度，相当于20-25摄氏度）倒挂起来。

However, your tomatoes also ripen in temperature between 55° to 65° F. But it takes a longer time to ripen around two to three weeks or more.

然而，在55至65华氏度（12-18摄氏度），西红柿也会成熟。可是，需要更长的时间，大约2到3周，或者更长。

Moreover, you should always keep in mind that tomatoes stop ripening when the temperature goes down below 50° F or reaches above 86° F.

此外，需要注意的是，当温度低于50华氏度（10摄氏度），高于86华氏度（30摄氏度）时，西红柿将不会成熟。

Therefore, as well, if you grow tomatoes in a short growing season like desert areas you may also facing over-heat problems during summer which can withstand the tomato ripen process. In that situation, you may also pull up the tomato plants by its roots and keep them indoors at room temperature if they are close to the mature green level.

因此，同样地，如果你想缩短西红柿的生长期，例如在沙漠地区种植西红柿，那么，在夏天你可能会面临过热的问题。这会拉长西红柿的成熟过程。在此情况下，如果西红柿接近成熟绿色，也可将其连根拔起，将它们放置室内，在室温下保存。

6: Check the Smell and Taste 闻气味

Check the smell of the tomatoes is another indicator that the fruits ripen properly. A ripen tomato releases sweet and earthy odor （/odr/n.气味）. On the other side, unripe tomatoes have a tart（/tɑrt/n.酸的） scent（/sent/n.气味） or no smell at all.

闻西红柿的气味是检验其成熟度是否恰当的一个指标。成熟的西红柿散发着甜甜的泥土的味道。另一方面，未成熟的西红柿有酸味，或者完全没有味道。

How to Pick Tomatoes- Right Way of Picking Tomatoes

如何摘西红柿——摘西红柿的正确方法

Picking tomatoes from plant stem is not rocket science. There are two simple ways that you can pick tomatoes from your plants.

从植株的茎上采摘西红柿并非难事。有两种比较简单的采摘西红柿方法。

1: Hand Picking 手摘

Hold the tomato plant stem with one hand then gently grasp the ripe tomato with another hand. Then twist to depart it from the fruit holding stalk（n. 植物的茎，秆）. Besides, you can also turn off the fruit stalk just above the calyx（/kelks/n. [植] 花萼）.

一只手握住植株的茎部，另一只手轻轻地抓住西红柿。扭动西红柿，使其脱离果柄连接处。除此之外，还可以直接摘掉花萼上方的果柄。

2: Cut off Tomato Fruit Stalks Using Scissors or Pruners（/’pru:n/n.修树枝剪刀）

用剪刀剪掉西红柿果柄

Some tomato varieties have a thicker stalk and hard enough to turn off from its stem. In that case, you can use garden pruners or scissors to cut off the fruit stems.

一些西红柿的茎比较粗，很难直接摘下来。此时，用修建树枝的剪刀或者一般剪刀剪掉果茎。

Where and How to Store Tomatoes after Picking Up

采摘后，在何处、如何储存西红柿

Some gardeners keep their tomatoes in a sunny windowsill to ripen quickly after picking up. That is a great mistake and your tomatoes will spoil before you eat them. Never keep them in direct sunlight.

摘完西红柿后，一些果农将其放置在阳光充足的窗台上，以便加速西红柿的成熟。这是个严重的错误，西红柿会变质。绝不要把西红柿放在阳光直射的地方。

Tomato leaves need direct sunlight to generate energy for producing fruits. Nevertheless, the fruits just need warmness to become ripen not the light.

西红柿叶子需经阳光直射才能产生能量，从而结果。然而，果实成熟只需要温暖的环境，而不是阳光。

Keep your tomatoes in the dry warm cabinet, cardboard box or shaded countertops（厨房的操作台） within a temperature between 55° -65° F. At first， place a paper towel and keep the tomatoes on it to absorb the moisture if there are any rotting tomatoes. Remove the rotting tomatoes quickly once you get them.

将西红柿放置在干燥温暖的橱柜、纸箱或者阴凉的操作台上，温度为55-65华氏度（12-18摄氏度）。首先，把西红柿放在一张纸巾上，在有腐烂的西红柿时，纸巾可以吸收腐烂的果汁。一旦发现腐烂的西红柿，就立即处理掉。

If you try to ripen your tomatoes in a room temperature below 55° F, they will take a longer time to ripen and the tomatoes will taste mealy（adj.干软的，面的） and less flavorful.

如果你试着在室温低于55华氏度（12摄氏度）的情况下把西红柿放置至成熟，需要的时间会比较长。而且，这样的西红柿吃起来干软，味道淡。

The breaker tomatoes ripen better and get the best flavorful fruits when the room temperature remains between 60° -65° F.

进入破色期后摘下的西红柿放置在室温60-65华氏度（15-18摄氏度）的环境下，会成熟得更好，味道也是最好的。

If you want to faster the ripening process wrap up individual tomatoes with newspaper and check them regularly. It may also reduce the chances of fruit rotting.

如果你想加速西红柿成熟的进程，用报纸包裹每一个西红柿，并定期检查。这还可以减少西红柿腐烂的几率。

Besides, you can also keep your tomatoes in a brown paper bag with a banana or a slice of apple to faster the ripening process.

另外，你还可以把西红柿和香蕉或一片苹果一起放在棕色的袋子里，这样也可以加快西红柿的成熟。

Why Store Brought Tomatoes Are Picked Up Earlier?

为什么商店售卖的西红柿要提前采摘？

Due to huge demand and long way of shipping the commercially grown or store brought tomatoes harvest at the mature green stages. So that they can withstand early ripening during the transport. And so, they are less tasty and flavorful than homegrown tomatoes.

由于需求量大，运输时间漫长，商业种植或储存的西红柿在成熟的绿色阶段，就摘下来了。所以，在运输过程中，这些西红柿只达到初步成熟。因此，它们的味道不及本土西红柿可口。

The matured green tomatoes naturally emit ethylene（/eθlin/ n.乙烯） gas which turns the green tomatoes into red, yellow or other ultimate colors of the particular tomato varieties. This gas also helps to develop fruit cells and softening the inside of the tomatoes.

达到成熟绿色的西红柿会释放乙烯气体。该气体会使绿色的西红柿变成红色、黄色或其他特定西红柿品种的最终颜色。乙烯气体还有助于西红柿细胞的生长，使果实内部变软。

Sometimes the store brought tomatoes may ripen artificially applying ethylene hormone（/hrmon/n.激素） and a little amount of beta carotene（/bit krtin/n. β-胡萝卜）.

一些商店可能会人工使用乙烯激素和少量β-胡萝卜，以促使西红柿成熟。

Therefore, the store brought tomatoes are less flavorful than homegrown tomatoes.

Special Harvesting Tips for Cherry, Roma and Heirloom Tomatoes

因此，商店里的西红柿不如自家种植的西红柿好吃。

Special Harvesting Tips for Cherry, Roma and Heirloom（/erlum/n.祖传的，家传的） Tomatoes

圣女果、罗马西红柿和传统天然西红柿的特别采摘技巧

Tomato harvesting time may also vary on some special factors like their growth type, the purpose of uses, size, color, temperature and other factors.

西红柿的收获时间也会因一些特殊因素的影响而不尽相同，例如其生长类型、用途、大小、颜色、温度和其他因素。

When to Pick Cherry Tomatoes

何时采摘圣女果

Cherry tomatoes are the most popular tomato varieties to the home gardeners. They take a couple of months to ripe depending on the growing condition and some other factors. Once they start ripening you can pick them regularly during the harvesting time.

圣女果是家庭种植中最受欢迎的西红柿品种。受生长条件和其他因素的影响，圣女果需要几个月的时间才能成熟。一旦它们开始成熟，便可在收获期定期采摘。

Some gardeners pick cherry tomatoes when they are in a semi-green stage and ripen them by exposing ethylene gas. But it won’t give the perfect flavor and sweetness as you expected when planting them.

一些人在部分绿色阶段，或者用乙烯气体催熟后，采摘圣女果。但是，圣女果的味道不佳，也达不到预期甜度。

In some cases, cherry tomatoes may start cracking if they left on the vine for too long after ripening.

在某些情况下，如果圣女果成熟后在藤株上待的时间过长，很可能会裂开。

However, you can pick them at any stage after the first blush. Then keep them in room temperature between 55°-65° F on the counter and they will continue to ripen naturally.

然而，在圣女果初显红色后，就可以采摘了。随后，将它们置于室温为55-65华氏度（12-18摄氏度）的操作台上，它们将继续自然成熟。

On the other hand, for getting vine ripe tomatoes to let your tomatoes ripe until they are fairly red and feel pliable（/plabl/ adj. 柔韧的；柔软的） for red varieties，you can check their pliability by lightly pinch them placing between two fingers. Do the same thing for yellow, orange and other colors of cherry tomatoes.

另一方面，为了摘到自然长熟的红色品种圣女果，即等到它们色泽红润，质地柔软之时，再采摘，你可以把西红柿放在两手之间，轻轻地捏，以检查它们的柔软度。对黄色、橙色和其他颜色的圣女果也是如此。

So, to get the best sweetness from cherry tomatoes let them ripe on the vine until they are bursting with sweetness. Pick them when they appear their ultimate colors and seem perfectly ripe during harvest.

因此，想要获得最佳甜味的圣女果，就要让它们在藤株上自然长熟，直到散发甜甜地香味。当它们长成最终的颜色，并看起来足够成熟之时，便可采摘。

When to Pick Roma Tomatoes

何时摘罗马西红柿

Roma tomatoes grow for canning, making sauces or freezing them for later uses. They are determinate or bushier in type, contain fewer seeds and meatier（meaty的比较级，多肉的） than other varieties. For their special uses, you need a large scale of fruits at a time.

种植罗马西红柿是为了做罐头、制作酱汁或冷藏以备日后食用。它们属于丛生西红柿，植株更加茂密。相较于其他品种，罗马西红柿籽较少，肉质更丰富。就其特殊的用途而言，你需要在同一时间收获大量的果实。

Roma tomatoes are determinate so the plants grow for a certain length and produce and ripe fruits roughly the same time. It takes around 70 to 90 days to harvest them after transplanting outdoors.

罗马西红柿属于丛生类西红柿，因此植株生长到一定长度就停止了，出果和成熟几乎同时完成。移植到户外后，大约需要70到90天的时间才能采摘。

If the temperature goes above 86° F or down below 55° F this is the best time to pick them if the fruits start coloring.

若温度高于86华氏度（30摄氏度），低于50华氏度（10摄氏度），果实开始变色了，那么此时是采摘的最佳时间

After picking, keep them in room temperature between 68°-77° F and they will continue to ripen. Never use the fruits before they evenly color or get enough firmness.

采摘后，将西红柿放置于68至77华氏度（20至25摄氏度）的室内保存，它们会继续成熟。在果实颜色未均匀、硬度够前，切勿食用。

Usually, tomatoes ripen from inside to outside. So once a Roma tomato appears to ripen from the blossom end to the top evenly, it might be ripened inside. Color is the best ripening indicator for Roma tomatoes.

通常，西红柿是由内而外成熟的。因此，如果一个罗马西红柿从花萼端到顶部均成熟，那么它的内部可能已经成熟。颜色是罗马西红柿成熟的最重要指标。

So, pick them when they are ripening evenly.

因此，在它们长到成熟的颜色，且颜色均匀时，便可采摘。

If you want to make fresh salsa（/sls/ n. 洋葱做的辣调味汁；萨尔萨辣酱）, salad or pasta sauce then pick them when they are bright red and firm. For canning tomatoes for future use let them ripen a little dark red and softer.

如果你想做新鲜的萨尔萨辣酱、沙拉酱或者意大利面酱，那么在西红柿呈现鲜红色，且质地较硬的时候，进行采摘。对于番茄罐头而言，等到西红柿呈现深红色，且质地较软时再进行采摘。

When to Pick Heirloom Tomatoes

何时采摘传统天然西红柿

Harvesting heirloom tomatoes are a little bit different than other tomatoes. You can’t always pick them based on their colors. Moreover, checking them by squeeze may rot them faster. So, you may do the following to pick heirloom tomatoes.

和其他品种西红柿相比，传统天然西红柿有些不同。不能单从颜色来判断是否可以采摘此类西红柿。而且，用挤压的方式检查是否成熟，可能会加快它们的腐烂。因此，你可以按照以下方式进行采摘。

Heirloom tomatoes ripen inside before they reach their ultimate color. So, pick them before they look ripen completely.

传统天然西红柿在达到最终颜色前，里面已经成熟。所以，在它们看起来完全成熟前，就要摘下。

Usually, heirloom varieties have a thicker stalk and may difficult for you to snip（v.剪断） off the fruits by hand. Besides, it may also harm the plant stem. So, you can use scissors or pruners to pick heirloom tomatoes.

一般，传统天然西红柿的茎部较粗，你可能很难用手摘下果实。另外，用手摘可能会对植株茎部造成伤害。因此，你可以用剪刀采摘传统天然西红柿。

Sniff out the tomatoes gently lift on vines and if you find they smell earthy and slightly sweet, then they are ready to harvest.

轻轻地提起藤株，闻一闻，如果有泥土的味道，又有一丝丝甜味，就可以采摘了。

What Time of Day is Best to Pick Tomatoes?

一天中，摘西红柿的最佳时间

Morning is the best time for harvesting tomatoes. Pick your tomatoes before 9 A. M. when the sun clearly rises on the eastern horizon and the morning dew has already dried out.

早晨是收获西红柿的最佳时间。上午9点前，太阳已经月初东方地平线，晨露也已经散去。

Avoid picking tomatoes during hot hours of the day between 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. because it will turn your tomatoes limp（adj. 柔软的，蔫的） or mushy（adj. 软而稠） very fast. As well as avoid picking them in the evening too.

避免在上午9点到下午5点天气炎热的时间段采摘西红柿，因为这样西红柿会很快变软。同样的，也应该避免晚上采摘西红柿。

During the nighttime tomatoes fill up again the moisture they lost in the daytime and make sugar from the starches（/stɑrt/n.淀粉） they gathered throughout the day.

夜间，西红柿会聚集水分

，以补充白天流失掉的部分，并将白天积累的淀粉转化成糖分。

So, tomatoes that picked in the morning usually are sweeter and juicer than the tomatoes picked at other parts of the day.

因此，通常情况下，与其他时间段相比，早上摘的西红柿更甜、更多汁。

Besides tomatoes keep longer in refrigerated storage if they harvested in the morning.

另外，早上采摘的西红柿在冰箱中可保存更长的时间。

Quick Tips of Harvesting Tomatoes

采摘西红柿小贴士

Pick your tomatoes quickly after heavy rainfall to avoid fruit cracking if they are at the mature stage and already start ripening.

如果西红柿处在成熟期，并且开始成熟了，雨后应立刻采摘，以避免果实开裂。

When a tomato looks ripe outside it might be ripened inside because they start ripening from inside out.

当一个西红柿外表

看起来成熟了，它很可能里面已经成熟了。因为，西红柿是由内而外成熟的。

Harvest tomatoes when the daytime temperature reaches above 86 F and constant on that level for a long time.

如果白天温度达到86华氏度（30摄氏度），且已经长期保持这个温度，那么是采摘西红柿的时候了。

No light required for ripening tomatoes, only warmness.

西红柿成熟不需要光照，只需要温度。

Remove damaged fruits from fresh fruits. If may lead to rot fresh tomatoes when storing them indoors.

将有损伤的西红柿从新鲜的西红柿堆里拿出来。室内存储时，损伤的西红柿会导致其他西红柿腐烂。

In desert areas, you will get a short growing season. So pick your tomatoes before the extreme summer heat comes.

在沙漠地区，西红柿生长期较短。因此，在酷暑来临前，摘下西红柿。

As well as pick your tomatoes

before the first frost fall of the winter.

冬天第一次霜降来临前，摘下西红柿。

Vine ripe tomatoes attract birds and other natural critters. So, pick them before they are fully ripe on the vine.

在藤株上成熟的西红柿吸引鸟类和其他自然生物。因此，在西红柿完全成熟前从藤株上将其摘下。