Sudden changes in weather can lengthen the time it takes for tomatoes to ripen
I’ve been hearing from many impatient gardeners lately. They all have the same question; “My tomatoes are big and green on the vine, but they just don’t seem to be getting ripe. What’s happened?!?”
If you stop and think about it, tomato plants have a lot going on at the same time. While they are ripening fruit, they are still putting on new growth to support future tomato fruit. And tomato plants are equipped to handle this multi-tasking quite well. That is as long as things are status quo, such as favorable climates and plenty of spring showers to create perfect tomato growing conditions.
However, as we experience drastic changes in weather as I suspect is true with many parts of the country, plants bear the burden. The perfect spring weather, so pleasing to tomato plant growth, suddenly hits the heat of summer. Tomato plants are abruptly faced with demands that require a change in how they grow and how their energy must be distributed. One of the first responses is for shallow rooted tomato plants to develop a deeper, more robust root system.
Tomato plants are quite adaptable and they will adjust to this sudden change. But, until the plant has made these adjustments, the green tomatoes will appear to just sit there. The beautiful red color of a ripe tomato seems like it will never come. Fortunately, it will, although it takes longer because of these changes. So, staying power is all that is required of you and some supplemental water is all that is needed by your tomato plants while they adjust to these changes. Consider it delayed gratification. You will be rewarded for your patience!
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your show and have gotten many helpful hints that I currently use in my yard.
Quite a while back you did a segment on a tomato farmer that didn’t water the tomatoes once the vines started forming.
Can you send me the link so that I can try out his method?
Thanks.
Keep up the good work, Joe.
Hi Norma. Thanks for the kind words. I cannot think of who this might be! If you can give me any more info perhaps I can figure it out. But I just cannot recall this at all for now. sorry about that.
It is September 3rd here in Massachusetts and my tomatoes still aren’t ripening! One has the faintest blush on one side. This is my first year ever growing tomatoes and I began by purchasing 2 baby tomato plants from a house that has an “honor system style” fruit and veggie stand outside tjeir house. At beginning of the summer they had tomato plants for sale. I do not know what variety. They were 30cents each! I left a buck and brought them home. They grew VERY quickly and graduated into bigger and bigger pots. By the time they became too heavy and I bought wire to support them it was too late and it wouldn’t fit. I had to lean them on my porch railings for support. The summer was VERY hot and VERY dry this year but I watered my “babies” every day. They have reached a stagnant phase where the Plant is still growing but no more tomatoes are and the dozen or so I have aren’t ripening. The bottom leaves are yellowed but I read they may need an even bigger pot and more sun? I’m disappointed as this has been a labor of love all summer long. Any ideas? I could send photos if it helps?
Thank You!
Angelina in Pembroke, MA
Hi Angeliana. I’m sorry I didn’t see your message when it first arrived. I’m impressed with your efforts and dedication. Since it is much later now, please send an update and let us know how this turned out.
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Thanks to all for your great feedback. And yes, it confirms everything I wrote about in this post. BTW, if you want to hear the podcast I did on this topic for Burpee Home Gardens, here’s the link: https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/bhg020-why-wont-my-tomatoes-ripen/
Thanks again for all your great comments and feedback!
Best,
Joe
August 9th and I finally picked my first batch of cherry tomatoes….they have been sitting on the vine since early July…very high heat here in Toronto I suspect is the cause…25+ days of 30 to 45 degree Celsius heat.
Finally! The first week of Aug and I’m starting to get some tomato’s ripening!
Yes, it is August 10th and we finally saw a few cherry tomatoes starting to turn red. I believe between the weather and the fact that I had to many tomato plants in one area it slowed the process. My husband and I went out the other day and cleared out the tomato plants that had vines but no tomatoes. That must have done the trick. I am so happy!!
I am in St Louis, plants have plenty of green tomatoes; infact one plant has 22 tomatoes but none are ripening. Read that the extreme heat we are having is probably affecting their ripening
Patricia, you are indeed right. High heat can certainly shut down the ripening process temporarily. The ripening engine will start up again with the return of cooler temps.
Blossom End Rot can also be controlled by adding a couple of handfuls of powered lime to the soil mix . My tomatoes have been slow to ripen this summer been extra hot.
I figured that what the problem was. My tomato plants have produced more than they did last year but none have ripened ( so far ). But I guess I should be thankful. Last year most of my tomatoes developed blossom end rot. This year I added Epsom Salts to the soil around the base of each plant. The number of tomatoes with end rot have dropped off dramatically.
I am in north central Louisiana, picking 20 or so every day. Even with the drought conditions the tomatoes continue to produce, guess we are lucky. I am giving away several bags a day of tomatoes, jalapeno, cucumber, japanese eggplant. I have roasted, canned, frozen whole, you name it. I’m done, but they aren’t hahaha! Only thing happening is that they are getting really golden looking from the heat/watering, but inside they are ripe and juicy.
Here in the south the tomatoes turned ripe and are now done. However, a fried green tomato is pretty darned good!
We were wondering what is happening this year. Now that we understand the wait is no so bad. There is nothing like a fresh tomato from your own garden.
I have not had that problem they seem to be ripening right on schedule. Which is 4th of July, & New Girl first week of July Early Pick started yesterday. North Tewksbury MA
Here in Montana I’m in early August still waiting for any of my 7 various tomato plants (including an early girl) to show any hint of ripening.