Introduction

The anticipation of homegrown tomatoes

The anticipation of homegrown tomatoes is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening. As you wait for those tomatoes to ripen on the vine, you might find yourself wondering, what month do tomatoes ripen and how to speed up the ripening process.

Whether you're dealing with green tomatoes or mature green fruit, factors like hot weather, light conditions, pruning, and ethylene gas all play a role in how quickly your tomato fruits turn into ripe tomatoes. Proper pruning helps direct the plant's energy toward fruit development and ripening. The reward comes when those tomatoes turn red, and you can enjoy the rich flavor of vine-ripened tomatoes in your garden.

Why understanding ripening is essential

Understanding when your tomatoes will ripen is essential for achieving the best flavor and harvest. The ripening process varies depending on factors like hot weather, light conditions, and the plant's energy. Knowing "what month do tomatoes ripen" can help you anticipate the transition from green tomatoes to vine-ripened fruits, allowing you to harvest ripe tomatoes at their peak.

By managing environmental factors like temperatures and reducing exposure to excess water, you can ensure your tomatoes ripen efficiently, developing full color and flavor while avoiding unripe tomatoes left too long on the vine.

Tomatoes are in full gear in the garden, loaded with lots of green, un-ripe tomatoes. So when will they ripen and how can you tell when is the best time to pick them?

Tomato Growth Stages

Germination and seedling stage

The tomato growth stages begin with the germination and seedling stage, where tomato plants start from seeds and develop into strong seedlings. During this phase, it’s crucial to ensure the seeds receive adequate light conditions and moisture for optimal growth.

Once the seedlings mature, they enter the vegetative stage, setting the foundation for fruit set. As the plants mature and grow, they eventually transition to producing green tomatoes, which will ripen into vine-ripened tomatoes under the right conditions, starting the ripening process that leads to fully ripe fruits.

Vegetative growth and flowering

During the vegetative growth and flowering stages of tomato growth, your tomato plants develop strong stems, leaves, and flowers, setting the stage for fruit set. As the plants mature, the flowers give way to green tomatoes, which will eventually ripen into vine-ripened tomatoes under the right conditions.

The plant’s energy is now focused on developing fruit, and with adequate light, water, and temperatures, these green tomatoes will turn red as they ripen, breaking color and developing their full flavor, paving the way for harvesting tomatoes at their peak of ripeness.

Fruit set and development

During the fruit set and development stage, your tomato plants begin to transition from flowers to tomato fruits. At this point, the plant’s energy is directed towards developing green tomatoes, which will grow in size and eventually ripen on the vine.

With the right light conditions and temperatures, these green tomatoes will mature, turning red as they break color, signaling the start of the ripening process and bringing you closer to harvesting your vine-ripened tomatoes with their full flavor.

The ripening phase: color and texture transformation

The ripening phase is a crucial stage where green tomatoes begin their transformation into ripe fruits, changing both color and texture. As tomatoes ripen on the vine, they transition from a mature green stage to vibrant red tomatoes, with the help of ethylene gas, signaling the ripening process.

Hot weather and optimal light conditions will speed up this transformation, allowing your homegrown tomatoes to develop flavor and become fully ripe, ready for harvesting and enjoying their rich taste.

Summer Conditions Contribute to How Fast the Fruit Ripens

The tomato plant is working hard during the summer–making fruit, new leaves, new roots and ripening more mature fruit. The summer weather plays a huge part in the ripening of the fruit. If the temperature rises above 85°F the ripening slows down. This is due in part to a slowing in production of the plant pigments, carotene and lycopene, that impart the color of the fruit.

The soil temperature should be below 80°F for the best root growth. If the temperatures rise above that the plant will divert energy to making more and deeper roots and therefore, there will be less energy devoted to the ripening process.

How to Help Speed Up the Ripening Process

• Remove some of the smaller, imperfect fruit. This is especially important if your plant is loaded with lots of green tomatoes.
• If you are having a heat wave, you may want to consider covering your tomatoes with some shade cloth. 30% shade cloth will be enough to help cool your plants down and also help prevent sun scald of your ripening fruit.
• Make sure you have a thick layer of mulch, like straw. This will help keep your soil a little cooler and also help cut down on evaporation.
• Pick the fruit that is at least at the breaker stage (showing some pink color) and allow to ripen on the counter. This will help take some of the load off the plant. If growing heirlooms, this will help prevent fruit cracking, which often occurs on those varieties.

Harvesting At the Right Time

Vine ripened tomatoes are the best, but don’t leave them on the vine too long.

• Depending on the variety, look for a deep rich color (red, yellow, orange or green).
• Lightly squeeze the fruit and it should give a little, not be mushy and not too firm.
• To prevent cracking on some of the heirloom varieties, you can pick before they are fully ripe and allow them to ripen on the counter (just make sure they have some color).

Do you Have to Wait Until the Tomato is Fully in Color?

Vine-ripened tomatoes have excellent flavor, and it's best to let them fully ripen on the plant for the best taste. However, if the season is ending and frost is near, you may need to pick partially ripe tomatoes. If your mature tomatoes have reached the breaker stage (showing some pink), they can be removed from the main stem and allowed to ripen off the vine. Place your homegrown tomatoes in temperatures between 50-85°F, out of the sun, to finish developing their flavor. If possible, let tomatoes stay on the vine longer before harvesting to ensure the best flavor and quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding when and how your tomatoes ripen is key to enjoying the best flavor from your homegrown tomatoes. As you care for your tomato plants, keep in mind that the ripening process depends on factors such as light conditions, temperatures, and the stage of your tomato fruits. Whether you let tomatoes ripen on the vine or pick mature green tomatoes to ripen off the vine at room temperature, be sure to manage the conditions properly. With patience and attention to detail, you can enjoy vine-ripened tomatoes with a rich red color and full flavor, straight from your garden. If you're looking to start your own tomato garden, check out tomato seeds for sale.

See our tip of the week for green tomatoes here. Or call the tomato doctor if you need more advice!

Enjoy homegrown tomatoes and Grow Organic...For Life!

FAQs: When Will My Tomatoes Be Ripe?

• What month do tomatoes ripen?

  1. The ripening of tomatoes typically occurs in the warmer months, depending on your local climate. In general, homegrown tomatoes will ripen from late summer to early fall. Factors like temperatures, light conditions, and the variety of tomato you are growing can influence the exact timing.

• How do I ripen green tomatoes?

  • To ripen green tomatoes, place them in a paper bag or cardboard box at room temperature. This encourages the natural release of ethylene gas, which helps ripen green tomatoes faster. If you have picked tomatoes early, leaving them in a warm, dry spot will help them develop mature color and flavor.

• When should I pick tomatoes from the vine?

  • The general rule for picking tomatoes is when they have reached full size and show signs of a red color (or yellow, depending on the variety). If you notice green tomatoes left on the vine that aren’t ripening, you can pick them and allow them to ripen at room temperature to avoid frost or other weather-related damage.

• How do I know when my tomato fruits are ripe?

  • Ripe tomatoes will have a rich color (red, yellow, or the mature color of your variety), be firm to the touch but yield slightly when squeezed, and have developed their full size. If tomatoes on the vine have reached maturity but aren’t turning color, try placing them in a warm area to encourage ripening.

• What are the best conditions for tomatoes to ripen?

  • Tomatoes ripen best in warm conditions. Low temperatures can slow down the ripening process, so make sure your tomatoes are exposed to enough heat (between 65-85°F) for optimal results. If temperatures dip below this, ripen green tomatoes indoors at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

• Can I speed up the ripening process?

  • Yes! To ripen tomatoes faster, place them in a room-temperature area, possibly alongside a banana, as bananas release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. Additionally, avoid leaving tomatoes on the ground or exposing them to excess water, as this can slow their ripening and affect flavor.

• Can tomatoes ripen off the vine?

  • Yes, if you pick mature green tomatoes that have reached their full size, they will continue to ripen off the vine. Ensure they are placed in a dry spot, at room temperature, and away from other fruit to develop their mature color and flavor.