How to Ripen Late Tomatoes: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're a tomato lover, waiting for them to ripen can be one of the most exciting parts of gardening. But what happens when it's getting late in the season and your tomatoes are still green? Don't worry, there are several methods that you can use to ripen late tomatoes without sacrificing their taste or quality. In this article, we'll guide you through some tried-and-tested techniques to ripen those stubborn green tomatoes.

1. Harvesting Green Tomatoes

The first step to ripening tomatoes is to know when to harvest them. If you're a gardener, you should always aim to pick your tomatoes at their peak ripeness. But if your tomatoes are still green and frost is on the horizon, then it's time to take action. Before starting any ripening method, pick your tomatoes off the vine, making sure to leave the stem attached.

Picking green tomatoes from a plant

2. Using Newspaper

Newspapers can be an excellent way to ripen tomatoes naturally. Wrap each tomato individually in newspaper and store them in a cool, dry place. As the tomatoes produce ethylene gas, the newspaper will help trap the gas around the fruit, speeding up the ripening process. Check on the tomatoes every couple of days and remove any that have spoiled or become overripe.

Green tomatoes wrapped in newspaper

3. The Banana Trick

Bananas release large amounts of ethylene gas, which can help ripen tomatoes quickly. Simply place a ripe banana in a plastic bag with your green tomatoes and seal the bag. The bananas will release the gas around the tomatoes, causing them to ripen faster. Make sure to remove the banana after a day or two to prevent overripening.

Ripe bananas next to tomatoes

4. Using Brown Paper Bags

A brown paper bag can work just as well as newspaper to ripen tomatoes. Place the tomatoes inside the bag, fold the top over, and store them in a cool, dry place. The bag will help trap the ethylene gas around the tomatoes, speeding up the ripening process. Make sure to check on the tomatoes every couple of days, removing any that have spoiled or become overripe.

Green tomatoes in a brown paper bag

5. Using Ethylene Gas

You don't need to wait for nature to produce ethylene gas to ripen your tomatoes. You can produce it yourself using ripe fruits such as apples, pears, or peaches. Place the ripe fruits in a brown paper bag with your green tomatoes and store them in a cool, dry place. The ethylene gas produced by the ripe fruits will help ripen your tomatoes quickly. Check on the tomatoes every couple of days, removing any that have spoiled or become overripe.

A pear and some tomatoes in a brown paper bag

6. Baking Soda Method

Baking soda can also be used to speed up the ripening process of tomatoes. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water, and use the solution to water your tomato plants. The baking soda will increase the acidity of the soil, which will encourage the tomatoes to ripen faster. Be careful not to use too much baking soda, as it can damage your plants if used in excess.

Baking soda for ripening tomatoes

7.

With these methods, you don't have to let your green tomatoes go to waste. Whether you choose to wrap them in newspaper or use ripe fruits to produce ethylene gas, you can ripen your tomatoes naturally and enjoy them all year round. Try out these techniques and see which one works best for you!

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