Yes, Bonnie. The amount of time the fruit stays on the vine increases the sweetness, it also becomes softer to the touch and deeper in color. The tomato is a fruit that has seeds inside. The plant knows that the ripening seeds are close to maturity, during this time the tomato starts to color. The color intensifies as the fruit ripens. The fruit is ready to pick when you clasp it and it comes freely off of the plant. Tomatoes continue to ripen after being picked. Let a few get more strongly colored before you pick them and see if you notice a flavor difference. I think the taste will be much more palatable. I'm growing several cukes this season but the ones I've already harvested are "Green Fingers" which are picked small--about four inches long. They are AWESOME!!! Here is a link that might be useful: Green Fingers

I've picked 2 sungold, 1 beauty queen, 1 lemon, around 8 small black oval tomatoes (can't find the tag & can't remember the variety); these were already ripe when I picked them. I've also picked several early girls, which are coloring up in my kitchen. Yes, this looks better than last year to me, too! Good flavor so far & I think all varieties have set fruit. Other veggies are doing well, too - bean & zuke production will soon outpace my demand for them & peppers & eggs are setting fruits, tho they're small due to my sluggishness in getting them planted.

Congratulations!!!!!

I'm impressed! I'm two zones ahead of you and still haven't gotten any large ripe tomatoes.