Q: I live near the lake and have not had a frost yet. There are still green tomatoes in my garden. How can I get them to ripen?
A: As fall temperatures finally arrive, sometimes we look out in our gardens to realize our tomatoes still aren’t ripe. We check the forecast, and our spirits drop when we see the first real frost will be here soon, leaving no time for our tomatoes to turn red. After spending an entire season caring for your plants to ensure they get what they need for a bountiful crop, it can be disheartening to see unripe fruit on the vine. However, there is hope, as tomatoes can continue to ripen and develop flavor off the vine.
First, tomatoes that are fully green likely will not ripen, or at least will not develop a good flavor. Tomatoes that are starting to turn white or pink or that have developed a star or streak of white on the bottom of the tomato are good candidates.
For the tomatoes that have started to lose their green, store them spaced apart in one layer at room temperature (65 to 70 degrees F). Do not stack or let them touch each other. Occasionally, you may end up with a tomato that spoils before ripening, so consider putting a layer of newspaper underneath to avoid a mess. Be sure to remove any rotten tomatoes promptly. Light is not needed; it is more important to ensure they are in a warm enough (room temperature) location.
It will take a few weeks for your fruit will ripen. Check them often and use them or process them as they ripen, to prevent them from spoiling.
Your tomatoes ripened indoors likely will not have the same flavor profile as your vine-ripened tomatoes. Different varieties will ripen indoors differently. Some people may notice this difference, while others may not.
Here are a few additional considerations.
Harvest tomatoes before or immediately after your vine has died from frost or is at the end of the season.Fully green tomatoes can be fried, grilled, pickled, or turned into relish.If you have a high percentage of green tomatoes at the end of the season, next year consider a different variety that has a shorter time to harvest, such as Early Girl.
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