Transition time has arrived-
The Roma VF and Martinos Roma are determinate varieties (meaning an unbelievable flush of tomatoes then little or none afterward) and are pretty much spent. There are a few green tomatoes on each plant still but their work is done and I need the space for the fall garden.
So yesterday was "phase one" tomato removal.
I wanted to get every last remnant of them out- including any fallen tomatoes and dried fallen leaves. Why? I have enjoyed a virtually disease free season this year in a large part due the fact that there was nothing over wintering in or on the soil in the tomato beds. This is why it is important to clean up everything that hits the ground around your tomato plants as the season goes along too.
The Romas flled the large cages so what I ended up doing was cutting the plants at the base and then lifting the whole cage out. I moved them away a bit then shook/pulled the plants out and put them in the city yard waste bin that I rarely use. Normally most yard waste becomes compost but I want all traces of this years tomato crop out of here.
This is a painful picture for me- in the past I have pulled frost wilted plants out- never robust (but effectively spent out) plants.

The spot where this plant was is now an open 2x2 square.

I continued and up pulling the rest of that side's row of 6 caged VFs before i decided it was just too damn hot. I carefully picked up all fallen fruit, branches and leaves then raked up the straw mulch that was under the plants. This all was disposed of with the plants as well.
I pulled the roots and left them to dry a bit in the sun; this evening I'll shake the soil mix off and dispose of them as well. These roots were impressive- they were as thick as pencils and some ran laterally 3 feet