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Garden Gate:  Tomato Frustration!!! Update  |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 1:02:59 PM
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I have had a good garden harvest this year. Tons of squash, getting cucumber, lots of good herbs, carrots were so/so, and some tomatoes. Here's my frustration...On some of the other tomato plants, I have Tons and Tons of green tomatoes.  But I want them to turn red. And they seem to not want to.  I know you can put them in a bag with a ripening banana, but only if they have matured long enough green. So...how do I know when that is? Never had this before and I am dying to make tomato jam! Okay...I'm good now. So glad I have farmgirls to vent to. :)
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
Edited by - texdane on Sep 15 2012 07:50:15 AM |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17447 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17447 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 3:15:47 PM
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Let me know the answer to this too!
my tomatoes are taking their sweet time...and it rained today.. uugghh!.
So far, I was barely able to get 6lbs of tomatoes (incld. cherry & roma) picked to make salsa... uugghh! my early girls are just lite green...a couple have started to turn pale orange...and today we had rain...and it's still a bit cloudy... might have to resort to frying them! ...Fried green Tomatoes!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 3:19:02 PM
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Our tomato plants were drowned by too much rain. I think we were able to get five or six good ones.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 3:22:12 PM
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My boss is a farmer and swears by putting black trash bags around the base of the plants to keep the roots warm and help them ripen. It seems to be working here.
Kathy |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 3:53:05 PM
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Kathy,
Thank you!!! Will try that.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 4:30:00 PM
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Kathy, I've never heard of that, but I will certainly try it. I have two tomato plants left, but they look like they are ready to drop dead soon. Thanks for sharing that idea.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 4:37:18 PM
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Nicole I'm having the same problem,I have big healthy plants and tons of little green tomatoes on them but they just sit and sit and really do nothing,Kathy thanks for the suggestion,I'll give that a shot!
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4533 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4533 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2012 : 6:24:59 PM
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You can try snipping the growing tips of the plants off. Just the tops is what I do. Usually helps.
Michele |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2012 : 1:44:43 PM
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Thanks, girls! It boggles my mind how big they are but they are as green as kermit the frog! Will try the tips. Love my farmgirl sisters!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2012 : 3:44:21 PM
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I had some tomatoes that were shy about turning red one year. It was already into Fall and weren't going to turn. I ended up picking them and putting them in a cardboard box with a red apple and closed it up. I checked every day and removed the tomatoes that had ripened. I was able to get all of them red.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsofEntropy?ref=si_shop
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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Butterscotch Grove
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Melissa
Fairbanks
AK
196 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2012 : 5:13:06 PM
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I feel your pain. I've gotten 1 cherry tomato so far, though I've loads of both cherries and big ones that are green (and the 1 I've gotten was because I accidentally knocked it off the plant while it was still kinda orange. And this year I even bought the kind that are supposed to do ok outside here (since I have no greenhouse). Oh, well. Green tomato chutney? Fried Green Tomatoes? Pickled Green Tomatoes? Whatever - next year I'll start earlier and keep 'em under plastic all season.
Good luck with them!
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2012 : 7:04:35 PM
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My tomatoes are also taking their own sweet time to ripen this year. I stopped at a farm market at the end of the road this Sunday to get a bushel of canning tomatoes to make salsa, since I have a lot of ripe peppers (but for some reason, no jalapenos). The 94-year-old farmer said he did not have any canning tomatoes or any tomatoes at all for sale - they are taking too long to ripen this year. So I felt better about my own tomatoes not ripening, but now I am wondering what is up?
I don't know why, could be the drought mixed with hot/cool temperature days? The weather has been crazy here this year.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2012 : 7:12:05 PM
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PS. As soon as the color has started to turn from green to slightly pink or yellow, you can go ahead and harvest them, they will continue to ripen on the shelf. If you pick too green, they will never turn.
This is a technique I use to beat the rabbits, mice, voles and groundhogs who like to wait until the tomato is just about ripe, then eat the bottom half of it. I see a beautiful red tomato and when I pick it, the bottom half is missing! So as soon as I see the color change I take them in the kitchen.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2012 : 5:46:25 PM
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Nicole,
I just read about this on a weekly blog that I am subscribed to...
visit wwww.agardenforthehouse.com and read up on what seems to ba a viable solution.Scroll down to the article about "how I ripen tomatoes in the house"- very interesting, plus lots of other good info on there too!
Good Luck!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
Edited by - laurentany on Aug 27 2012 5:47:26 PM |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2012 : 7:52:51 PM
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Laurie, that is a nice confirmation that my technique is "okay" by other gardeners.
Thanks for sharing the link, I might also subscribe.
This year I raised a "heirloom" tomato that was passed on to me from a roadside gardener who wanted to make sure his seeds were saved.
The tomato plants were not resistant to the fungus and diseases, so the plants look awful after the whole season of drought and weird temperature variations. But they are still bearing a lot of tomatoes. Only problem is we got a heavy rain a week ago and most of the skins split. Now they are showing bad spots along the split skin.. Ucky. Do I compost them or not? Will the mold infect my compost pile?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2012 : 06:37:14 AM
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@Laurie, that was a great blog. I think I've read his posts before, good info. Thanks!
The tomatoes are starting to turn on the vine, and the ones in the paper bags with bananas are turning, too. Whew! Guess my garden is a bit late...
Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 07:55:19 AM
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Now mine are all turning red but don't have enough to can. I wanted to try that recipe (tomato basil jam) so badly! Funny thing is, so many of us all over from different zones have had the same issue this year, and my mother in law in Denmark said the same thing about hers! I am wondering if it is the bee decline? Just a thought...what do you think?
My black krim turned red but the tops never ever turned the dark color, just stayed green. We ate them anyway, and just avoided the top. Waiting for the top to turn just made them turn mushy at the bottom, but still green on top.
I posted a great fried green tomato recipe on my blog, if anyone wants one. (It's last week's blog, so it is the current one).
Strange tomato year indeed. Other stuff in the garden did fine.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2012 : 08:54:06 AM
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For tomatoes to turn red the day time temps need to be warm enough and the night time temps cool. Some say below 50 but I question that a little. Anyway in TX I used to have a garden and the tomatoes would not turn red till it got cool enough at night, but here in the mountains at 8000 ft its the opposite that hinders them. It doesnt get warm enough during the day. I have heard but never tried it that one can put foil under the plants to warm them up during the day. However if one picks the tomatoes and puts them in a paper sack they will turn red but be somewhat lacking in that vine ripened flavor. I have had to do this several times cause our freeze date here is somewhere between the middle of Sept and the first of Oct usually.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2012 : 5:48:59 PM
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My tomatoes ended up getting the blight. They started turning black before they ever ripened. Try making green tomato pickles.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2012 : 9:27:15 PM
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| My daughter had the same problem with her tomatoes turning black on the bottoms also, a lady told her soil was low on lime, she sprinkled lime around them and it fixed the problem. Roxanna |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2012 : 06:26:35 AM
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Not having any issues with my tomatoes as far as illness or blight. I've been gardening at my home for seventeen years, and just find it interesting how each year things can be so different. I've got fifteen different varieties of tomatoes,all organic and heirloom, and all have produced. What I found funny this year is how the season for them to turn ripe has been so late in so many different climates/zones. Some of my plants have grown over six feet tall! Enjoying the fresh tomatoes, but it will be a short season as fall is on our heels. Feel so spoiled eating them, it will be hard to go back to buying them from the supermarket. ;)
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2012 : 10:31:52 AM
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Nicole,
Glad you are "finally" able to enjoy your harvest. I've gotten quite a few throughout the summer, but there are definately alot still on the vines.
I agree with 100%- as there is nothing like eating a fresh tomato vs a yucky store bough one! No comparison at all. In fact my girlfriend was just here from Georgia and I had made a salad. She immediately remarked about how delicious the tomato in the salad was and of course my reply was..."Thats because its from the garden!" LOL
Enjoy those maters' Nicole!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
Edited by - laurentany on Sep 18 2012 10:32:34 AM |
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mslora
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Lora
Hauser
ID
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2012 : 9:38:15 PM
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Green tomatoes everywhere!! What's a girl to do? I left mine on as long as I could possibly get and the frost finally caught up with me, but I found out that you can wrap them in Newspaper and put into flat boxes and store in a cool place and they turn red!! Or...you can get those boxes at the post office that are flat for mailing and free. Seal one end of box add your green tomatoes to box and then close the other end with a small piece of duct tape! Wha la! Red tomatoes!! Remember: Check them every day or two for ripe ones. They do give off a smell, and there is moisture that seeps through the box, a little, be careful where you place them!  |
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Marigold
Farmgirl in Training
38 Posts
Marigold
Chicago
IL
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2012 : 10:49:53 PM
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Cooler temperatures at night that drop the soil under 60 degrees can slow down the ripening of tomatoes (or any nighshade like peppers or eggplants). Black plastic would help with solar gain and get the soil warmer. You might also try raised beds which will help make your soil warmer earlier in the season. Also selecting early ripening varieties if you have a shorter season. A common early ripener is "4th of July". Most cherry tomatoes also have a lower number of days from planting until harvest.
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Garden Gate: Tomato Frustration!!! Update |
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Tomato Frustration!!! Update
