Hi littlecity,

Welcome to GardenWeb. I really wish you had posted your question before taking such a drastic measure. While clipping leaves may work, it also can lead to sunscald, a yellowing of the side of the tomato exposed to the sun. Hopefully that won't be a problem for you.

To speed ripening late in the season, it is generally recommended that you "root prune" your plants by either grasping the main stem close to the ground and give it a good jerk while twisting slightly, or taking a shovel and driving the blade into the ground 8-10" a few inches from the main stem on two sides. What that does is stress the plant so that it "panics" and starts ripening the fruit earlier than it would normally.

Betsy

Here is a link that might be useful: Ten Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Tomatoes

You should still have plenty of time in your zone. No pruning of any kind is needed right now and I would only prune the growth tip if they aren't getting ripe by the middle of October and that's in my zone.

littlecity:

Are you sure you are in zone 8? I can not imagine that. Zone 5 is almost the same color to my eyes (partially color-blind). Are you sure you are not in one of the zone 5s?

I don't see how anywhere in Canada connects to zone 8, which runs through the southern US.

Thanks for your help gardening friends!

I live in New Westminster BC Canada its about 17 kms from Down Town Vancouver & the Pacific Ocean. the zone finder on gardenweb shows costal Vancouver and VI as Zone 8, a & b where I live and garden we seldom see winters go much below zero and get only a few days of wet snow each year. Last year I was already harvesting tons of ripe red tomatoes at this time of year oh well I guess there is always next year to grow better tomatoes:)

littlecity,

Many areas have had a pretty unusual year this year and I know that a lot of gardeners that normally have had tons of ripe tomatoes by now are just starting to get ripe fruit. Obviously weather affects gardening a great deal. So you are not alone in your frustration.

Betsy

littlecityfoodgardener, I have not heard from anybody from PNW who had good crop of tomatoes this year.
Everybody are saying that last year was better. The same for me. My tomatoes are very slow this year. We should hope for next year. Next year i will try to grow only early tomatoes.