What do I do with tomato plants after the harvest?

My husband and I planted tomato plants in the spring and we had a good harvest. What do I do now that the plants are rotting. Should I uproot them, cut them back or just leave them? I had them in those stand up cages but I've removed them. I'm not sure what I should do with the plants now. Will they help the soil if I leave them to rot? Would they seed for next season or would I have to replant with new?

What do I do with tomato plants after the harvest?
You should pull them up and also clean up any debis that is left. They will not come back next year from the original plant. Any seeds that are left may sprout next year if they are left inside of a tomato and it rots on the ground. The real issue is to clean up the area of all old plant material to prevent disease in next years crop. Even composting sometimes will not destroy fungal diseases like blight. Bottom line, pull up old plants, clean the area and you will have better luck next year.
Reply:If you compost them, don't use the compost in the garden. You may reintroduce diseases.
Reply:make tomato rice
Reply:I'd say pull them up and toss them. Normally you need to start new tomato plants every year, but sometimes seeds from one of last year's plants will come up on their own.
Reply:If there are no tomatoes left, they will not reseed. The seeds are in the tomotoes. Since they are annuals, they will not grow back if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter. I'd pull them up and compost them with your fall leaves and other yard refuse. Then you can use finished compost on your garden next year and avoid synthetic fertilizers which can be dangerous for pets and kids.
Reply:If you have a compost pile, compost them! If you cut them down, but leave the roots, they may regrow from the roots, they will not reseed themselves as the seeds your in the tomatoes you picked and ate. Most likely you will have to replant next year!