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It's my first year growing tomatoes.

How do I know when they are ripe? I have one that is very red but pretty small, and others that are getting that red but a little larger. Do I go by size, colour, feel, all three?

Thanks!

Not a silly question.

I go by colour, and prefer to pick just as full colour is reached, as the fruit still retains some acid to give a touch of tartness. After trying a few, you should form your own judgement. The size will vary.

Enjoy !

I go by colour like curry, and also feel - if they 'give', they're done IMO ;)
Size is immaterial!

Same here but I like 'em red and sweet.

I smell 'em as well.

But it is hard to be sure with the first of a variety you haven't grown before, especially if it's a non-red one. :-\

Yes yellow ones present a problem, for how yellow is yellow ? Again trial and error is the judge ...

You bend down to the bottom to smell, greyhound? Lucky old you!!

STHLM.  As said - size is immaterial. Is this any help? I would normally pick like the red Santa, but if you want to encourage the fruiting, pick earlier & all the others will ripen within 2-3 days.

Quote from: tim on July 27, 2006, 18:34:26
You bend down to the bottom to smell, greyhound? Lucky old you!!

Well, I don't make a habit of it in polite company, but my namesake over on the left does it quite often.

;D ;D ;D

Dogs is dogs?

I am growing several green varities, how on earth do you know when they are ripe?

A  little sqeeze ?

The green ones get a yellowy tinge. Or, at least, Green Zebra & Evergreen do. And yes - a gentle squeeze. Usually better to pick less ripe than more - they tend to go soft very quickly.

But well worth all the effort!