Tomatoes in cool weather

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shiuvaun Independence, MO Sep 08, 2008

It's been cool & rainy here in Kansas City for the past couple weeks, and, although I have LOTS of tomatoes on my plants, and more coming on all the time, they're not ripening because of the cool, wet weather! Is there any way I can pick them green & ripen inside? So far, they don't ripen in the window unless they're a little pink. Can you help? Thanks!

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catmad Pelzer, SC(Zone 7b) Sep 08, 2008

shiuvaun, how long have you waited? I had a Cerokee Purple that was knocked off totally green, and I waited and waited. Several weeks :(No color. I stuck it in the fruit bowl (otherwise empty) and forgot about it. Lo and behold, one day it had changed color, and ripened. Not quite the quality it would have been had it stayed on the vine, but definitely worth eating!

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Sep 08, 2008

Late in the season if I have green tomatoes left that won't have time to ripen on the vine, I pick them and put them in brown paper bags (no more than a couple of layers in each). They ripen within a few days this way and the taste is still good. If you don't have paper bags, lay them out on a counter and cover them with a dish towel--works the same. If you have too many tomatoes for this method and it's getting too cold for the vines, pull the vines up roots and all and hang them upside down in a shed, garage, or some other building that will be warmer than outdoors and they will finish ripening there.

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paulgrow Allen Park, MI(Zone 6a) Sep 08, 2008

I would leave them on the vine to ripen.
I don't pick the green ones and bring them inside until there is a danger of frost.

It should warm up again before fall.

Paul

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roseimp (Rosie) Belturbet, Ireland Sep 08, 2008

Same problem here but I don't mind really. I make green tomato chutney with them and the ones I want to ripen - if they won't do it unaided, I put in a bag with banana skins. They ripen in a day or two.
:-)) Rosie

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Sep 09, 2008

roseimp,
Green tomato relish is good too--have you ever tried it?

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roseimp (Rosie) Belturbet, Ireland Sep 09, 2008

Only tried the shop bought stuff NL1950. Have you got a recipe?

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DesertRattess Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Sep 10, 2008

Green tomatoes are delicious sauteed with onions and bell pepper.

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Les_Cooper Brazoria, TX Sep 11, 2008

Here are some additional tips. Les


How to Ripen Green Tomatoes
http://www.wikihow.com/Ripen-Green-Tomatoes

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