DayLily2008
Leafing Out
I just picked a ripe tomato today. I think they are beefsteak tomatoes.
tomatoes not turning red!?!
- Thread starter akyramoto
- Start date
OaklandCityFarmer
Deeply Rooted
The main reason why tomatoes will not ripen is the weather (like Tutter suggested.)
Tomatoes love to ripen in a range of 68-75 degrees. Lycopene and carotene production halt after 85 degrees, these are what cause the red color in tomatoes. The farther you get from this and the slower they will ripen. If it's too hot you may be able to shade them a bit and force them to ripen.
A few things to remember also. Larger beefsteak tomatoes will ripen a bit slower and they tend to ripen unevenly, especially heirlooms. Pick them when the bottoms are dark red even if the tops are a bit green/yellow/orange still. This will help against rot.
Also, never refrigerate your tomatoes. One of the biggest reasons garden tomatoes taste so much better is because they have never been put through cold. Once tomatoes go under 45-50 degrees all flavor is lost.
Tomatoes love to ripen in a range of 68-75 degrees. Lycopene and carotene production halt after 85 degrees, these are what cause the red color in tomatoes. The farther you get from this and the slower they will ripen. If it's too hot you may be able to shade them a bit and force them to ripen.
A few things to remember also. Larger beefsteak tomatoes will ripen a bit slower and they tend to ripen unevenly, especially heirlooms. Pick them when the bottoms are dark red even if the tops are a bit green/yellow/orange still. This will help against rot.
Also, never refrigerate your tomatoes. One of the biggest reasons garden tomatoes taste so much better is because they have never been put through cold. Once tomatoes go under 45-50 degrees all flavor is lost.
I'm so jealous... our tomatoes are just starting to flower. Too darn cold this year.
Sarah_Mom2Four
Chillin' In The Garden
We have 14 tomato plants with at least 10-15 tomatoes on each and they are all still green too so I feel your pain! I'm craving some fresh salsa really bad and I want them to hurry up!
nccountrygirl
Garden Ornament
We have been pulling tomatoes for a least a month so it's got to be y'alls cooler weather.
DDRanch
Garden Ornament
I am in NoCA too, and my tomatoes are loaded....and green. I am not expecting red ripe tomatoes for another 4-6 weeks. It's is really hard to wait.
Anne
Anne
curly_kate
Garden Addicted
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What zone are you guys in in CA? I would figure you're farther south than me, but my cluster toms are getting red. Got a brandywine, too!!
DDRanch
Garden Ornament
You know, I don't know what zone I am in. Where can I go to find out?
Anne
Anne
