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Garden Gate:  TONS of unripe tomatoes on the vines, what to do?  |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 27 2013 : 05:33:58 AM
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So, I have a fairly heavy crop of tomatoes...only everything is green and seems to be going nowhere. I WANT my ripe tomatoes! I've pruned again hoping this would help, but still nothing. If I try picking them now and force ripening them, I don't think they will be as good, so I am keeping that as a last resort. There are only so many recipes we like with green tomatoes, so I was hoping someone might have some advice on how I can successfully help things along.
Any ideas? I'm really desperate!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2013 : 07:58:31 AM
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some varitys will ripen when put in a brown paperbag with an apple, other wise I make fried green tomatos, pickled tomatos, and green tomato relish...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2013 : 3:05:46 PM
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Any reason why you can't just wait for them to ripen?
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2013 : 3:12:54 PM
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Good point...I'm just worried it might never happen if we get another unseasonable cooldown...just wondered if there was any little way I could help them along...we got a cool snap in August and everything just stopped progressing. We're warming up again now, so my fingers are crossed, but nothing so far!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2013 : 9:44:14 PM
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The Paper Bag and Apple is good idea. I ripen mine about 10-20 (depending on size)
On My Kitchen Window Sill. And I love Fried Green Tomatoes too. Some people actually like
to eat tomatoes green. A neighbor of mine keeps stealing a few of my green ones (he confessed)
and just likes them that way. I have never eaten them green except fried.
Love and blessings,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
"Believe in yourself and let the glitter fly!" P.Smith Mail Art Hostess |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4260 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4260 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 04:32:20 AM
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Pinching off the tops, like you did is supposed to help. It takes time sometimes!
Michele |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 05:20:22 AM
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You all have good thoughts - I have my fingers crossed. We are experiencing some steamy weather again (good for ripening!), but next week is another cooldown. Have my hopes up for this week!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 3:12:11 PM
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When you are ready to call it quits for the season... you can work a spade into the soil all the way around the base of the plant to disturb, but not completely severe the roots. Then you strip as many leaves as possible. The remaining green tomatoes will ripen more quickly but, of course, you will lose your plant. When you know the freeze is about a week or less away, you can try this.
Good luck,
Marianne |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 3:25:23 PM
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Thanks, Marianne. I didn't know about that method before - if I do still have green ones closer to the first freeze, I'm going to follow your directions! Still no ripe ones today. And we've been in the mid 80s for a few days, so I was hoping.
We just got this weird cooldown at the beginning of August, just when I thought they might be heading into a ripening phase (we got down into the 50s at night for weeks!) And then nothing happened - all green. I should just be happy none have rotted - they are all just hanging in there...green!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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proseharley
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
ROSE
dover
ohio
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 3:30:51 PM
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Never tried this but going too. My neighbor put ripe tomatoes on a cookie sheet let them freeze and bag them until she needs them for meal. they peel real easy under running water.
Rose |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2013 : 3:43:52 PM
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I've never heard of that, Rose, but if I ever get any of mine to ripen up this year, I will have to try it! Sounds interesting.
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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Garden Gate: TONS of unripe tomatoes on the vines, what to do? |
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TONS of unripe tomatoes on the vines, what to do?
