My Go-To Tomato Processing & Freezing Method: End-of-Season Tips for Your Denver Garden
As the season winds down, it's time to start preparing your garden for the end of the season. One of the first tasks I like to tackle is trimming back my tomato plants. Not only does this help the plants focus on ripening their remaining fruit, but it also gives me the chance to gather all those hidden ripe tomatoes that tend to hide under layers of leaves.
And then, what’s next? Processing and freezing your tomato harvest leftovers, of course!
In this blog, you’ll learn:
Why Freezing Diced Tomatoes in the best preservation method
My step-by-step process for freezing your tomatoes to enjoy all winter long
Extra end-of-season tips for your Denver garden
Are we connected on Instagram yet?
Give me a follow: @auntiemsgarden
My Go-To Tomato Freezing Method:
With a bounty of tomatoes in hand, I turned to my favorite, no-fuss tomato processing method to keep the harvest fresh for winter cooking.
Tomato Harvest in Denver, Colorado
Why I Love This Method:
This technique gives me “cans” of diced tomatoes ready for winter soups, sauces, and stews, without the need for actual canning. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to use what you’ve grown. Plus, you can grab just the right amount without worrying about thawing too much at once.
Step 1: Dice Tomatoes:
Chop up your tomatoes and collect them, juices and all, in a bowl.
Diced Tomatoes
Step 2: Measure and Bag:
Measure out 15.5-16 oz of tomatoes (perfect for most recipes) and place them in quart-size freezer bags.
Step 3: Remove the Air:
Press out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Less air means less freezer burn!
Step 4: Lay Flat to Freeze:
Lay the bags flat on a baking sheet, alternating directions to maximize space.
Step 5: Freeze and Stack:
Freeze the tomatoes. Once they’re frozen solid, you can stack them up like books on a shelf—this saves tons of freezer space!
By taking a bit of time to prep and preserve, you can ensure that both your garden and harvest make it through the winter. Plus, with a freezer stocked with “cans” of diced tomatoes, you’ll be enjoying garden-fresh flavors all winter long!
Ready to put your tomatoes to good use and prep your garden for fall? Share your favorite end-of-season garden tips in the comments below, or tag us on social to show off your freezer-stocking skills!
Happy gardening!
Have questions or want to share your gardening success stories?
Drop a comment below, or reach out through our Contact Page!
Check out our free resources or services!
Save this Blog on Pinterest!
**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small profit if you click on the link to make a purchase. Other links are not sponsored, because I also like supporting small, local businesses.**
Meet the Gardener
I’m Elisa Mack - a mom and Denverite who went from being a green-ish thumb to a kitchen garden fanatic simply by dedicating myself to the study of all things Colorado gardening.
Landscapers don’t design. And nurseries don’t make house calls.
We take a more full-service approach, from designing your dream garden to keeping it beautiful year-round.
And as your coach, I’ll help eliminate the guesswork through every season, no matter your level of knowledge.
