GARDENING ZONE 6B
Posted on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
We have many tomatoes on large plants but no sign of ripening, is there still time for them to ripen?
We planted them in the second week of June in the soil near a south-facing brick wall. The soil was amended with Miracle Grow garden soil for Flowers and Vegetables. Then in July they were fed once with Vigoro Tomato and vegetable food 12-10-5. We have 3 large full plants, 7′ or more with clusters of large fruit, I would say about 20 among the three plants but no hint of color change! They are all green as can be and remaining that way. Am I just too anxious? We are in Southwestern PA, Zone 6b I believe. Thanks!
Yeah I know how you feel! We have a bunch of nice green tomatoes, and yes it does take awhile for them to change. But once they do start getting a hint of color they will be ready within a few days to a week.
I first started noticing almost a white hue on a few, after I saw this.. in about a week they all of sudden changed to a light orange overnight.
Once they have any color on them other then green, check them daily as they will ripen within a week or less depending on your plant type. After you start seeing a few ripen, many more will follow usually in groups, most likely more then you can use eventually. But the first few take the longest.
It sounds like to me, you still have at least a month and a half or more where you live, and that will be plenty of time for them to ripen.
But if it comes down to it, and your summer is running out.. (saying you only have a few weeks left before frost), a good way to get the last fruit to ripen is to dig a shovel into the ground around 3 sides of the plant about a foot away from the stem just to cut the roots and induce ripening. One slice into the ground around 3 sides will do, leave at least one side for the roots. Also do not do this to a plant that has plenty of time to produce more before frost, this is a last resort for the last 2 weeks before frost to help ripen the last bunch.
Hope this helps! Patience is the key, even though it sucks sometimes!
PALM TREES! IN OHIO?!?!?!