Summertime Green, when is it ripe?

jenniedhs · June 27, 2011

I have never grown a green tomato, nor a yellow. I have a Summertime Green and a Summertime Gold I am growing this year. I have read everything I can on how to tell when they are ripe, but it sounds like it takes experience! One Summertime Green started a little darker green, then got almost a white green which I know means they will start to color soon. It got a little bit greener this week and then felt softer when I gently squeezed it today and I could have sworn there was a "blush" (although very slight) on the bottom when I looked outside. I picked it and brought it in. I can't see a blush inside the house, maybe it was hopeful thinking outside! But it is soft when gently squeezed. Did I pick it too early? Or as in reds, pinks and purples at "first blush" so it will ripen up nicely on the countertop? I am not sure how I will know when it is perfect for slicing!! I hope Summertime Gold will be a little bit easier to recognize when it is ripe. Any guidance would be most appreciated!

Jennie

Gobig_or_Gohome_toms · June 27, 2011

Do you have any ripe red or pink tomatoes? If so give them a sqeeze and compare that to the GWR tomato.

Craig

**Lee** · June 27, 2011

Should be plenty of pix in the Summertime Green Threads to show
what it should look like. You'll see a slight pink blush on the blossom
end when full ripe. You're probably OK to go ahead and slice it now though based on your "feel" description.

If you want, I can drive in the G'boro and come check it for you to make
sure!

Lee

**nctomatoman** · June 27, 2011

The green when ripes in the Sneezy series (Summertime Green, Emerald Giant, Jade Beauty, Beryl Beauty, Kelly Green) are all clear skinned - meaning the color change when ripe is very subtle, but once seen, pretty unmistakable. They just look "different" and most do show a very pale pink blush on the blossom end...but that isn't a reliable guide, since the blush may be absent. Use the softness test and give it a try when it feels right! It is usually a heavy yielder, so you will get several chances to get it right! Do let us know what you think of it!

jenniedhs · June 28, 2011

Thanks for the responses! Today it is even softer and does feel like what I consider a red tomato feels like when ripe. We are having vegetables from the farmer's market for lunch today, so I am going to slice up my nice and ripe Cherokee Purple and the Summertime Green. They are the first for me this season. Will be anxious to see what the Summertime Green tastes like and will let you know!

Jennie

jenniedhs · June 29, 2011

The Summertime green was perfectly ripe and my husband pronounced it one of the best tomatoes he had had! I agreed! It has a real tomato flavor but with something more....I thought it was almost spicy. Not hot spicy. Spiced peaches and apples are an example of the spicy I am trying to describe. And such a beautiful green when sliced! Can't wait to try Summertime Gold now! I should have a Green and a Gold ripe by Monday and maybe a German Red Strawberry, that will make a pretty plate!

**nctomatoman** · June 29, 2011

Now this is great, great news.....those of us involved in the dwarf project are probably a bit jaded, and also cautious - I think we KNOW how good some of these are, but there is some "coming out reaction anxiety" at work - as in, what will people who have NOT been involved think of them?

I think I will copy your post and send it to Mike, Glenn/Linda, and Linda - the three companies who are selling dwarf seeds - so that they can see some immediate positive feedback! thanks!

jenniedhs · June 29, 2011

Craig, you and all those working on the dwarf project have done a wonderful job. Taste, to me, is one of the most important aspects of a tomato. I applaud you all for making that a high priority in this project. I can't wait to taste the other two I have, Summertime Gold and Rosella Crimson. They are hardy also. I got herbicide drift from the neighbors yard and most of my plants were really damaged. The dwarfs showed some damage, but pulled through much better and put on healthy new growth. Those three and the Cherokee purple seemed to be the healthiest in the garden right now besides the replacements I got from you in June.

Jennie

June 27, 2011	#1
jenniedhs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 21	Summertime Green, when is it ripe? I have never grown a green tomato, nor a yellow. I have a Summertime Green and a Summertime Gold I am growing this year. I have read everything I can on how to tell when they are ripe, but it sounds like it takes experience! One Summertime Green started a little darker green, then got almost a white green which I know means they will start to color soon. It got a little bit greener this week and then felt softer when I gently squeezed it today and I could have sworn there was a "blush" (although very slight) on the bottom when I looked outside. I picked it and brought it in. I can't see a blush inside the house, maybe it was hopeful thinking outside! But it is soft when gently squeezed. Did I pick it too early? Or as in reds, pinks and purples at "first blush" so it will ripen up nicely on the countertop? I am not sure how I will know when it is perfect for slicing!! I hope Summertime Gold will be a little bit easier to recognize when it is ripe. Any guidance would be most appreciated! Jennie

June 27, 2011	#3
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Should be plenty of pix in the Summertime Green Threads to show what it should look like. You'll see a slight pink blush on the blossom end when full ripe. You're probably OK to go ahead and slice it now though based on your "feel" description. If you want, I can drive in the G'boro and come check it for you to make sure! Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

June 27, 2011	#4
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	The green when ripes in the Sneezy series (Summertime Green, Emerald Giant, Jade Beauty, Beryl Beauty, Kelly Green) are all clear skinned - meaning the color change when ripe is very subtle, but once seen, pretty unmistakable. They just look "different" and most do show a very pale pink blush on the blossom end...but that isn't a reliable guide, since the blush may be absent. Use the softness test and give it a try when it feels right! It is usually a heavy yielder, so you will get several chances to get it right! Do let us know what you think of it! __________________ Craig

June 29, 2011	#7
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Now this is great, great news.....those of us involved in the dwarf project are probably a bit jaded, and also cautious - I think we KNOW how good some of these are, but there is some "coming out reaction anxiety" at work - as in, what will people who have NOT been involved think of them? I think I will copy your post and send it to Mike, Glenn/Linda, and Linda - the three companies who are selling dwarf seeds - so that they can see some immediate positive feedback! thanks! __________________ Craig

June 27, 2011	#2
Gobig_or_Gohome_toms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zone 4 Lake Minnetonka, MN Posts: 967	Do you have any ripe red or pink tomatoes? If so give them a sqeeze and compare that to the GWR tomato. Craig

June 28, 2011	#5
jenniedhs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 21	Thanks for the responses! Today it is even softer and does feel like what I consider a red tomato feels like when ripe. We are having vegetables from the farmer's market for lunch today, so I am going to slice up my nice and ripe Cherokee Purple and the Summertime Green. They are the first for me this season. Will be anxious to see what the Summertime Green tastes like and will let you know! Jennie