[dmforcier]

Well, in the pepper community a common practice is to cut the plant off at the base, leaving the fruits on, then hang the whole thing upside down in the garage to allow what fruits that will to ripen, protected from frost and predators. I don't know if this will work all that will with large tomatoes.

AFAIK, rhe amount of water doesn't make a difference, unless the plant dies of thirst.

But I have to ask, why end so early if you have a helper? NC should have over a month of season left, even at high altitudes.