The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Fruit => Topic started by: Bert on September 08, 2013, 09:58:01 pm

Title: Will they won't they ?
Post by: Bert on September 08, 2013, 09:58:01 pm

What are the chances of my outside tomatoes ripening? Considering its now September and I live in the Scottish highlands. I'm thinking probably not. But I don't want to turn them into green tomato chutney, if I'm just being impatient  :innocent:
They are safe for the moment because I've run out of jars ;D

 I've never grown tomatoes outside before, so I'm not sure.

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: Fleecewife on September 08, 2013, 10:35:06 pm

The nights are starting to get cold so they probably won't ripen outside.  It's what I've found too - outdoor tomatoes in Scotland grow a lovely crop of green fruit on sturdy plants, but you need to bring them in to ripen them.
I'm wondering whether if you pulled up the plants, root and all, then hung them upside down in the tunnel, if you would get at least some ripe ones, at least the ones which look mature now.  Once a frost threatens remove all the green ones and make your chutney.

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 08, 2013, 10:45:08 pm

You could try using a fleece over them at night. I have quite a few as well but I am in the Midlands so they should be ok for a few more weeks.

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: Ina on September 08, 2013, 10:53:01 pm

I wouldn't dream of trying outside tomatoes in Scotland... Tried it once, years ago, and that was not in the Highlands, but if the cold doesn't get them, the wind will! Even in my mini greenhouse I only had green tomatoes last year; this year they are just beginning to turn reddish, and I'm in hopes for a few ripe tomatoes at least...

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: HesterF on September 08, 2013, 11:24:55 pm

It's been a late year for all sorts. My tomatoes are just beginning to ripen now (and my mum having complained she had nothing two weeks ago has just filled four washing up bowls with ripe toms - even though her greenhouse ones have done nothing). I'd give it a little longer just in case for a late warm spell. Once they're a little yellow, you can often ripen them off the plant inside - just on trays.

H

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: Bert on September 09, 2013, 07:59:09 pm

Thanks everyone  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Fleecewife on September 08, 2013, 10:35:06 pm

outdoor tomatoes in Scotland grow a lovely crop of green fruit on sturdy plants,

I must admit they are some of the best tomatoes I have ever grown. With a great crop.

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: shygirl on September 09, 2013, 08:03:08 pm

i thought you could ripen them inside in a drawer with a banana.
 
http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=103 (http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=103)

Title: Re: Will they won't they ?
Post by: darkbrowneggs on September 09, 2013, 08:07:13 pm

My father used to uproot them and hang the whole plant upside down from the meat hooks in the kitchen ceiling then pick them as they ripened  :roflanim:


We had high ceilings mind  :eyelashes: