I live in Arizona, the day time temp is an average of 65 and night about 40-50. I have lots of green tomatoes on the vine, will they ripen at these temps or should I pick them and let them ripen in the house? Thanks

-- Roxanne (Roxanne@143webtv.net), November 29, 2001

Answers

I don't think they will ripen on the vine. Pick, let ripen in house in sunny window--or for stretching out your tomatoes--wrap in newspaper and they will ripen slowly.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.

I had the same problem, living in Colorado. I picked mine and put them in brown paper bags. Not one per bag, but all I could get on a single layer in a bag. They all ripened but 1, so I figured I had pretty good luck!

If fact I still have a few sitting on the kitchen counter. This is the latest I have ever had home grown tomatoes to eat. I picked them the last week of October!

-- Lynette (fear_the_bear@webtv.net), November 29, 2001.

I usually leave mine out until the first frost, then make green tomato pickles out of the smaller ones and wrap the larger ones in newspaper to ripen. Hope this helps!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.

Strip all the leaves off the plants. The plant will immediately put all energy into producing viable seeds (read - ripen the fruit). If you are apprehensive, try it with a couple. It does work, if you have enough time until a killing frost. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), November 29, 2001.

Or make relish with all of your green tomatos...delicious !! or fired green tomatos ! Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), November 29, 2001.

I've heard you should pull up the entire plant, roots and all, and hang it upside down someplace, like from the rafters in a barn or garage, and let them tomatoes ripen on the plant.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), November 29, 2001.

But being in Arizona, your tomato plants will keep right on growing and producing. If you want to be sure of the tomatoes you have, since we are having a cold spell right now, pick and ripen them. But DON'T pull up your plants or remove the leaves! The plants will survive and set fruit again soon.

-- lance (lance1_86404@yahoo.com), November 30, 2001.