By Caroline Biggs October 15, Save Pin More. Credit: Getty Images. Comments Add Comment. Back to story Comment on this project. Tomatoes emit ethylene gas as they ripen; when one begins to turn ripe, it helps its mates turn color as well. Another trick is to put the unripe tomatoes in a bag with another ethylene-rich fruit, such as a banana, apple or pear.
Unripe tomatoes also can be wrapped individually in newspaper and stored in a cool, dark area, where they will keep a bit longer on the shelf and can be warmed to ripen fully as needed.
Tomato pollen is damaged at high temperatures, though special heat-resistant varieties have been developed for the Deep South and desert areas. High temperatures usually come with intense sunlight and fluctuating moisture levels, both of which can damage tomato fruits as they develop.
Keep the tomato plant's soil moisture levels consistent by watering deeply but infrequently, providing the soil with at least 1 inch of water per week, or enough so the soil feels moist 2 to 3 inches below the soil surface even several days after watering.
Inspect them daily for progress. You can also remove tomatoes you have ripening in a bag or box once they start showing signs of color and continue their ripening on the windowsill.
Some gardeners pull up the entire plant — roots, fruits, and all — and hang it upside down in a location indoors. The theory is that the plant, while alive, will send all its available energy to the fruit. You should shake off as much of the soil as possible before hanging, then check the progress daily.
Try these delicious recipes:. Green Tomato-Pepper Relish. Laura Modlin is an environmental journalist, blogger, foodie and nature fan. She writes for newspapers and magazines, and maintains a blog about a simpler life.
She co-founded a river conservation project in Connecticut. Her mission is to inspire deeper connections with the natural world and a desire to protect it.
I had several underripe tomatoes fall off the vines when I was pruning and tying up my plants yesterday. Several of them are not mature and very green.
Can they be used for anything, or should I compost them? Hi Karrie, Green tomatoes that fall off the vine are immature and need a little coaxing. Water droplets can be left on the tomato and cause it do develop soft spots or mold — especially if you choose to ripen tomatoes in an enclosed space such as a bag or jar as described below. Late season tomatoes can acquire all kinds of fungi and mold.
Washing and especially bleaching can remove those nasties and prevent decay over the coming weeks as ripening green tomatoes mature. If you choose to wash tomatoes just after harvesting, make sure they are completely dry before starting your ripening regimen. Try these easy methods. In a paper bag. Place green tomatoes in a paper bag with a piece of ripe fruit, such as an apple or banana. Ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas.
Ethylene gas works two ways — it also stimulates ripening. Check the bag daily until fruit is ready. In a plastic bag. Follow the same steps as for the paper bag method, but poke a few holes in the plastic bag. Insert banana or apple and tomatoes. Let tomatoes ripen in a warm area away from direct sunlight. In a jar. Applying the same principle as with the paper bag method, select a jar and place a ripening banana inside. Place green tomatoes in the jar, but be careful not to force them to fit or they could get bruised.
Screw on the lid. Place the jar in a warm area away form sunlight. Check the jar regularly.
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