There’s nothing quite like the taste of a perfectly ripe, homegrown tomato.
If you’re wondering how to get those green beauties on your vines to turn that perfect shade of red (or yellow, or purple!), you’ve come to the right place.
Ripening tomatoes on the vine can sometimes be a bit of a waiting game, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be enjoying juicy, flavorful tomatoes straight from your garden in no time.
The Challenge of Ripening Tomatoes
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you know the frustration of having a cluster of fruit that just won’t ripen.
They stay green and, while fried green tomatoes are delicious, I’d rather ripen them for sauces and other projects.
Thankfully, there’s a trick to force ripen tomatoes on the vine!
Let me show you how….
How to Force Ripen Your Tomatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Area
To force ripen your tomatoes on the vine, start by pulling away any mulch or weeds around the tomato stem.
Expose the bare dirt around the plant.
Step 2: Stress the Plant
You’ll need a sharp object, like a shovel, to chop up the roots a bit.
This stresses the plant, which in turn starts ripening its fruit as stress makes tomatoes ripen faster.
Step 3: Chop the Roots
Carefully pull back the soil to see the direction of the roots. Chop some of the roots around the base of the plant, but leave a few intact.
This will stress the plant enough to start the ripening process.
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Important Note: This Will Kill Your Plant
Force ripening by chopping the roots will eventually kill your tomato plant.
It won’t happen immediately, but be prepared for the plant to die.
Only do this if you’re ready to be done with your tomatoes for the season!
Why Ripen Your Tomatoes This Way?
If You Need to Prepare the Fall Garden
Around late July to early August, summer crops are still going strong.
However, to prepare for a successful fall and winter garden, you may need to remove some summer crops early.
Force ripening your tomatoes can help you clear space for fall planting.
If Frost Is in the Forecast
If your first frost date is approaching and you still have green tomatoes on the vine, force ripening can save your crop.
Do this at least five days before the expected frost to ensure the tomatoes ripen in time.
If Pests and Diseases Are Taking Over
If pests or diseases are threatening your tomato crop, force ripening can help you salvage some fruit.
It’s better to have some tomatoes than none at all!
Picking Tomatoes at Just the Right Time
When force ripening, don’t wait for the tomatoes to turn ruby red.
Pick them at the first sign of blushing, usually two to three days after chopping the roots.
Tomatoes ripen from the inside out, so a slight hint of orange or red means the interior ripening process has started.
That’s all for today. I hope this guide was helpful!
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