How to ripen my "frost refugees?"

Mojo · December 12, 2008

Well, Dec. 10th is average date for first frost in Houston. And every year I fool with fall 'maters, I end up picking most of them green in the rain trying to avoid a coming cold front.

This year was the exception: it was far too nasty for me to go out on Wednesday night in the snow (!) and re-wrap everything tight. I lost the vines and was forced to pick a huge bag of Early Girls and Top Guns. Most are light green, with a few showing hints of yellow on the bottom.

Now right this second they are in a big plastic vacuum-able bag. I am thinking about taking a banana and putting it inside then sealing it to accelerate ripening. Or would I be just as well off putting them into brown paper bags and hiding them in the pantry?

creister · December 15, 2008

I just put all of mine in a 5 gallon bucket in a corner out of the way, and they eventually ripened. I tried the banana, but I think that sometimes it will turn the outside red, but the inside is all ready over ripe. I didn't use a banana in the bucket this year.

BrianS · December 18, 2008

I ripened mine by placing them in a shoe box then placing under the bed. I had toms until Thanksgiving which IMO is an accomplishment since I live in Southern MO now

akgardengirl · December 23, 2008

Lay them out in a cardboard box and cover with newspaper. I usually have to pick green ones the end of Aug., first of Sept. since it is iffy on the first frost. I have a greenhouse now so it is more the 1st part of Sept. I also have had tomatoes into Nov. by ripening them this way.
Sue

December 12, 2008	#1
Mojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 317	How to ripen my "frost refugees?" Well, Dec. 10th is average date for first frost in Houston. And every year I fool with fall 'maters, I end up picking most of them green in the rain trying to avoid a coming cold front. This year was the exception: it was far too nasty for me to go out on Wednesday night in the snow (!) and re-wrap everything tight. I lost the vines and was forced to pick a huge bag of Early Girls and Top Guns. Most are light green, with a few showing hints of yellow on the bottom. Now right this second they are in a big plastic vacuum-able bag. I am thinking about taking a banana and putting it inside then sealing it to accelerate ripening. Or would I be just as well off putting them into brown paper bags and hiding them in the pantry? __________________ There is no logical response to the question, "Why won't you let me plant more tomatoes?"

December 18, 2008	#3
BrianS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 96	I ripened mine by placing them in a shoe box then placing under the bed. I had toms until Thanksgiving which IMO is an accomplishment since I live in Southern MO now __________________ Hook 'em Horns!

December 15, 2008	#2
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I just put all of mine in a 5 gallon bucket in a corner out of the way, and they eventually ripened. I tried the banana, but I think that sometimes it will turn the outside red, but the inside is all ready over ripe. I didn't use a banana in the bucket this year.

December 23, 2008	#4
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	Lay them out in a cardboard box and cover with newspaper. I usually have to pick green ones the end of Aug., first of Sept. since it is iffy on the first frost. I have a greenhouse now so it is more the 1st part of Sept. I also have had tomatoes into Nov. by ripening them this way. Sue