Had to pick green tomatoes before frost set in. How can a get them to turn red?

Answer 1

You can set them on a windowsill where they'll get a lot of sunlight, although that's fairly slow. If you want them to ripen quickly, put them in a paper bag with a banana.

Answer 2

Ethyne gas is a plant hormone that ripens a lot of fruits, including tomatoes. Otherwise known as acetylene (yes, the kind used in cutting torches). Some fruits evolve quite a bit when they get very ripe. So the trick is to seal the tomatoes in a paper bag with one or two very ripe bananas. Not on the verge of rotting, but they should smell very banana-ish. It isn't heat, it isn't sunlight. It's ethyne that does it and ripe bananas are a good source. The whole bit about wrapping them, putting them in a paper bag, whatever is to seal in the ethyne the tomatoes are producing. Being green, they aren't making too much. A ripe banana makes quite a bit.

Answer 3

Green tomatoes can be picked individually and brought into the home for ripening. Place them in a wooden or cardboard box (only one layer deep) then cover over the top with newspaper. Check regularly to determine when they have ripened.

Answer 4

Put them outside on a flat cardboard box or newspaper during the day, but not a lot of sun. If they were just about to turn, they'll keep going to red on their own. Turn them every now and then to avoid flat/soft spots as they ripen.

My mom uses the covered back porch or the inside window shelf.... sometimes she uses the garage. As long as it's not real cold, they'll turn just fine. We've never covered them or wrapped them. There's no need.. they just ripen regardless. But It takes a few days.

Answer 5

Put them in a paper bag with a ripe apple. Tomatoes actually ripen at night, not during the day. That's why they are members of the nightshade family of plants.

Answer 6

I am from canada... and i have taken about 60 ripe ones off in the last week, but there remain about 60 left that are still green... be patient, and as long as they are looking good i am sure they will turn eventually, maybe they are just late bloomers..... have you had a cooler summer possibly? Once they begin to turn it is safe to take them off and store them in the dark.. they will ripen quicker that way, but they must be starting to turn before removing BEST OF LUCK =)

Answer 7

Put them in a brown paper bag on the counter. Watch every day

Answer 8

Wrap them each in newspaper and put them in a paper bag some place not too hot. Check them in a few days and regularly.

Answer 9

Put one in a paper bag with another ripe fruit (maybe vegetables work too, but I'm not sure) and leave it for some period of time. I'm not sure how long, so you'd better just check it periodically.

Answer 10

Eat them green! Fried green tomatoes, or pickle them, or slice them up nice and thin and sprinkle salt and lime juice on top.