Gardening

beac

(9,992 posts) Mon Jul 23, 2012, 09:13 AM Jul 2012

What kind of IDIOT plans a trip out of town when the tomatoes will ripen?

Last edited Mon Jul 23, 2012, 10:29 AM - Edit history (1)

Uh, me. I am that idiot.

To be fair to myself, the trip was somewhat foisted upon me and the timing got shifted from earlier in the summer but I am still super sad that I may miss tasting the first fruits off so many of my plants.

My cherries are all producing ripe tomatoes already. It's the full-size ones I'm concerned with.

I've offered my neighbors and housesitter free-range in the garden while I am gone, but should I pick a few for myself and leave them to ripen on the counter?

Or, am I being ridiculous b/c, even though they are fat and healthy, all the tomatoes are still decidedly green. I'll be back the home on 08/06. Will my tomatoes wait for me?

Thanks for any advice. This is my first year growing so many full-size tomatoes and I'm still not confident that I have the timetable correct.

edited for typo

3 replies

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What kind of IDIOT plans a trip out of town when the tomatoes will ripen? (Original Post) beac Jul 2012 OP

hybrids can wait NJCher Jul 2012 #1

my gardening has gotten in the way of any summer vacations for us for years! NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #2

So, I think I'm about two weeks or so behind you, based beac Jul 2012 #3

NJCher

(37,743 posts)

1. hybrids can wait

Reply to beac (Original post)

Mon Jul 23, 2012, 09:58 AM

Jul 2012

My opinion is that you could leave the hybrids on the vines until you get back. The heirlooms have to be picked right on time.

Yes, by all means, pick some to ripen on the counter. Be careful what you place them next to so they are not subject to the ripening gases put off by other vegetables such as potatoes.

Cher

NRaleighLiberal

(60,470 posts)

2. my gardening has gotten in the way of any summer vacations for us for years!

Reply to beac (Original post)

Mon Jul 23, 2012, 06:12 PM

Jul 2012

We are booked for our two weeks at the Outer Banks in October...that's our event to look forward to (also going out to Seed Savers in Iowa in early Sept to give some talks at the annual tomato tasting).

Our tomatoes are at or just past peak - I've picked, tasted and saved seed from maybe 175 of the 210 types I am growing. Best tomatoes of the year - Green Giant, Lillian's Yellow Heirloom, Dester Amish, Brandywine for indeterminate types....and a whole host of dwarfs have been outstanding!

beac

(9,992 posts)

3. So, I think I'm about two weeks or so behind you, based

Reply to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:00 AM

Jul 2012

Last edited Tue Jul 24, 2012, 12:46 PM - Edit history (1)

on what you've been posting about your harvest.

Maybe there will be some tomatoes left on the vine when I return?

I am especially sad about my Dwarf Mr. Snow. That little plant is FULL of great big green full-size tomatoes now. They are still definitely green. Will I get to experience their snowy goodness upon my return? or would pulling a few now to ripen on the counter be better?

My other dwarfs have toms in various stages of growth, so I think some of the smaller ones will still be growing/ripening when I get back.

ETA: I got my dwarfs from you on May 5th, potted them up into small pots and let them grow for about two weeks and then put them in their large pots around the 20th of May, if that helps you determine how close to ripening they would be.

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