Should I pick all my tomatoes?

[piglit]

Well it is the section for basic questions... given that frost is on its way, should I pick all the green tomatoes I have carefully grown and let them ripen off the plants? And if yes it the best thing in the kitchen under a tea towel?? Am i after heat or light or what to get them to ripen on the plants?? I have looked on other threads but have become a little confused.

Thanks,

Piglit

[piglit]

[Mrs Ava]

I am guessing your tom plants are outside.  If so, I think now is the time to pick them, altho I am sure I heard or read somewhere that if you can and have the room, carefully pull the whole plant out of the ground and hang it upside down in a frost free shed and you will get better ripening.  Otherwise, I should think on a tray under a teatowel, with a banana in for good measure should do the trick.  I am hoping my greenhouse toms will go on a bit longer!  :-\

[aquilegia]

I'm gradually picking my outdoor toms. I don't have room to ripen them all. I put them in the kitchen (it's the best place as we only have a small flat) on plates or trays and cover in a tea towel.

Light or dark doesn't matter. The important thing is that the tea towel keeps the ripening gas enclosed to ripen the lot up quicker. Any toms that are ripe or nearly ripe should be distributed evenly amongst the lot to help the process along. If there aren't any ripe ones, put in a banana or ripe apple.

Check them daily or every other day to take any that are ready to use or going off. If you've had blight, tomatoes can go blighty even after they've been picked.

[tim]

The stalk thing works well if you have room. If you don't, no need to misemploy either towel or tray - they may be there for weeks! Any old box, stuck under a table or somesuch, will do - especially one with Eric's apple box inserts - with some paper on top. The trays are easier to lift out for inspection.

Bananas? Yes, to speed a few if you have none ripe. But you don't want to bring the others on too fast. You want them ripening over a long period?

If still stuck for room, chuck a double layer of fleece over the plants & let them be. Ours are still ripening well at 36F (indoors) - & it'll get even colder.

Don't forget pickling the small ones & frying the bigger ones! = Tim

[piglit]

Thank you all for your advice.  The majority are picked now and ripening in bowls (or meant to be!).  Others are still outside on plants but they are all in growbags against the wall of the house so reckon it will need to be a pretty severe frost to get them.  And if it does... well frankly there is no where else to put the things so they just have to chance it outside.  

piglit