[Alas Babylon!]

Well, Diana in Wisconsin said she keeps them on the vine unitl they're full ripe. I pick mine a few days early. We're both right.

In a hoy, humid climate like mine, a not quite ripe tomato can go from not ripe-ripe-rotten in 24 hours. When I was stationed in Germany, I could keep them on the vines for a week. So it also depends on your climate, and how hot and humid it is.

Oh, and what kind of little critters you got. I have a LOY of big, mean, leaf-footed stink bugs this year. It's been dry rain-wise, and they drink by piercing the tomatoes (and every other plant and fruit/veggie) with their proboscises. That can cause premature rot, too.

Ugly SOBs look like this. They'll actually fly at you, trying to scare you off.

[SaveFerris]

Just pulled 5 - it’s hot here in the Midwest - little rain.

I’m a little early so it will be fun checking on them on the table this week!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Good points about the climate making a BIG difference as to when you pick your tomatoes!

We have Box Elder Bugs that look like your stink bugs, but are black and red and horny little buggers, too!

I guess when your lifespan is a matter of hours, you do what you have to do - and be quick about it, LOL!