I have versailles variety. However how do I know when they are ripe ? I have never grown them before.
I've never found a way to know for certain. It's just a hunch: they seem to burst out of their skins!
I just pick and taste a few, then decide they need a few days (or not).
One sure sign is that their skins need to be shining. If not, they're past their best day.
Dunno but mine are DEFINITELY not ripe today!
Had a taste of one and my mouth turned inside out and my ears started flapping ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I know the feeling Trixie! Perhaps a less drastic way is to give them a little pinch, if they're hard as beads, they're not ready, if they squidge between your fingers they've gone too far and if they're somewhere in between they're possibly OK. Not scientific, but it may work!! :)
They were 'somewhere in-between' but I think they were just having a larf at my expense! Cunning little currants they are ;D
I picked mine last weekend, mine changed colour from a clear lemon to a very dull pink
When the birds have started cleaning off the bushes you`ll know they are ready.