As the harvest season draws to a close, you may have a lot of unripe tomatoes. Don't worry, you can still use it. There are several things you can do to ripen tomatoes and enjoy them when the harvest season is over. If you are growing it in a pot, move the pot indoors to complete the ripening process. Or, pick the tomatoes and place them in a bag or cardboard box. This will trap the ethylene, which can speed up ripening. Alternatively, you can get a better taste by uprooting the tomato tree and hanging it upside down until the fruit is ripe.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Ripening Tomatoes on the Tree
Step 1. Put the potted tomatoes into the room and place them in a location that is exposed to direct sunlight
Tomatoes will stop ripening when the weather turns cold. When the weather starts to turn cold and you grow your tomatoes in pots, the ripening process can easily be resumed by placing the plant in a warmer room. Place the plant near a window in direct sunlight. Warm temperatures and sunlight will allow the tomatoes to continue the ripening process. Pick tomatoes that are ripe and turn red.
The best temperature for tomato growth is around 21 °C. So try to get the temperature in the room to reach that number
Step 2. Cover the plants in the garden with a plant blanket or row cover at night
If you are growing tomatoes in your garden and the growing season is over (in a country with four seasons), you will need to pick the fruit or cover the plant until the tomatoes are ripe. You can use a plant blanket or row cover to help ripen the tomatoes in the last few days before the temperature turns cold. Cover the entire plant and make sure that no part of the plant is sticking out. Next, check the plants daily and pick ripe tomatoes.
- Row covers are the best choice for this method because they are designed to keep the plant warm. You can buy it at a farm shop or the internet.
- Open the cover during the day so the plant can get some sunlight.
- In a country with four seasons, this method can also be applied when frost appears unexpectedly early, but the weather is expected to warm up again after that.
Step 3. Remove the entire plant (including the roots), then put it in the house
If the weather has turned cold and the tomatoes are not yet ripe, remove the entire plant and continue the ripening process indoors. Dig up the soil around the roots with a shovel, then remove all parts of the plant (including the roots) from the soil.
- Remove all soil and dirt adhering to the plants so as not to contaminate the house.
- If any tomatoes fall off their stems when you remove the plant, ripen them in a bag or cardboard box.
Step 4. Hang tomato plants in a cool basement or shed
This location provides a good environment for ripening tomatoes that are still attached to the tree. There are several ways to hang tomato plants upside down. Choose the best method that suits you. Continue to monitor and pick ripe tomatoes.
- The simplest way, tie a rope to a nail driven into the ceiling. After that tie the end of the rope to the base of the tomato plant and let it hang upside down.
- Alternatively, make a hole in the bottom of the bucket, then tuck the tomato plant in the hole, and hang the bucket from the ceiling.
- Place a tarp or pot under the plant to catch any fallen leaves or debris.
Method 2 of 2: Storing Tomatoes in a Bag or Cardboard Box
Step 1. Pick tomatoes if they are still not ripe when the season is over
When the weather has turned cold and the tomatoes are still green, complete the ripening process indoors. Pick all the tomatoes carefully so they don't bruise or crush. Check and discard any damaged tomatoes as they will not fully ripen.
Pick all the tomatoes and their stalks. This is useful so that the tomatoes can ripen better
Step 2. Wash and dry the freshly picked tomatoes
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly before you start the ripening process. This will remove any aphids and mold spores that can damage the tomatoes during the ripening process. Wash the tomatoes under running water, then use a towel to dry them.
Make sure the tomatoes are completely dry, as mold thrives in a humid environment
Step 3. Put the tomatoes in a cardboard box or paper bag
The container used depends on the number of tomatoes. If the tomatoes are few, you can use a paper bag. If you have a lot of tomatoes, use a large cardboard. Arrange the tomatoes so that they do not touch each other.
You can use several bags or cardboard to ripen a lot of tomatoes. Too many tomatoes in one place will use up all the ethylene, the chemical that makes the fruit ripe
Step 4. Put the bananas with the green ends in the box or bag
Bananas naturally produce ethylene, the chemical that makes the fruit ripe. While tomatoes also produce their own ethylene, bananas produce more ethylene, which can speed up ripening. Bananas are used to speed up the ripening of tomatoes.
- Choose an unripe banana with a green tip. Bananas that have browned do not produce ethylene anymore.
- If you are ripening tomatoes in multiple containers, add one banana in each.
Step 5. Close the box or pouch
Tomatoes need an environment full of ethylene to fully ripen. So, tightly close the container you are using. This will trap the ethylene so the tomatoes can absorb it. If using a paper bag, roll the top end down. If you are using a box, seal the top and seal it tightly with tape.
Do not allow the container to become airtight or the binding is too tight that it is difficult for you to open it. You should check your tomatoes daily for signs of rot, bruising, or mold. So, make the container easy to open
Step 6. Check the tomatoes daily for mold or rot
Open the tomato container daily and check all the tomatoes. Look for black or dark brown spots on the skin, which could indicate that the tomatoes are starting to rot. Also look for mold growth on the tomatoes. Set aside the tomatoes that have these marks and throw them away.
Step 7. Take the tomatoes when they are ripe
If it has turned red, it means the tomatoes are ripe and ready to use. Take the ripe tomatoes and enjoy!
- In a warm area (around 18–21 °C), it will take about 1-2 weeks for the tomatoes to ripen. In cold areas, the ripening process takes almost a month.
- Use tomatoes that have ripened within a week for maximum flavor and freshness. If you don't want to use them right away, place them on a windowsill in direct sunlight.
Tips
- For the best taste, enjoy the tomatoes as soon as they are ripe. Tomatoes will gradually lose flavor about 1 week after being refrigerated.
- If you live in a country with four seasons, picking a few green tomatoes before the frost sets in will make the tomatoes left on the tree ripen faster. This happens because the plant will put more energy into the remaining tomatoes.
