Can green tomatoes ripen off the plant?

[minskey]

Hi all,

I have just cleared my tomatoes as they are outside and there is a frost forecast for tonight!

There were lots which were ripe but quite a few just green, will they ripen if I put them in a dish on the kitchen side?

[Capsid]

Yes, you can help them along by placing a banana on top. They release a lot of ethylene gas which helps all fruit ripen.

[Rhona]

Agree with above, my green ones have all ripened in the fruit bowl with a few bananas. Some say stick them in a paper bag with a banana but I've never found it necessary.

[rogesse]

Strpped off all the outside toms last week and put then on windpw sills - most are colouring up!

[rustylady]

They should ripen up. Mixing in a fruit bowl with ripe bananas helps. Don't separate them from the truss if you can help it. Cut the whole truss off the plant and put in the bowl.

[SMS6]

I hang my trusses in my kitchen window from the bottom of my blind - they ripen really well

[minskey]

Righty Ho! I'll let you know how I get on

[ginger ninger]

I hang my trusses in my kitchen window from the bottom of my blind - they ripen really well

Thats a good idea I've just taken all my unripe tom's off, I'll give that a go, thanks.

[Hilary B]

Warmth helps too. Airing cupboard is as good as windowsill.....

[kiwirach]

yes they do!!.....i took some green Amish Paste toms off the plant when i noticed a frost warning on here.....i didnt want to take any chances!. its taken about a fortnight and all of a sudden they are starting to turn red now....i'm soooooo happy!. i want to harvest the seed for next year, rather than buy more.

[solway cropper]

You don't need bananas. I just snip off the entire truss and put them in a big cardboard box in the utility room and then use them as they ripen. Just checked....the stalks are dry and brittle and there's a couple of dozen toms at various stages of ripening. We're off out for the day tomorrow so it looks like cheese and tomato sarnies