A few days ago I decided it was finally time to get serious about picking and clearing out our heirloom tomato beds. Each raised garden bed contained about 8 tomato plants, so there was a pretty significant amount of tomatoes to harvest.
After pulling up the plants and sorting the tomatoes into piles {green tomatoes and ripening tomatoes}, I sifted through the dirt for stragglers.
Then, I did something I have never done before, I decided to take YOUR advise, and hang one of our red pear tomato plants upside down in our unheated garage. According to several readers, this old school tomato ripening method really works.
I have a feeling if I were to hang the tomato plants inside the house where it’s a bit warmer, the tomatoes might ripen a bit faster. But clearly, there is NO WAY ON EARTH, the Handsome Husband would put up with that. Not in a million years.
So what do YOU think? Have you tried this before? Does it really work?
Should I go ahead and pull up the rest of my tomatoes and hang them upside down?
~Mavis
Mavis Garden Blog – 5 Tips for Ripening Tomatoes on the Vine
Mary says
Maybe try canning some of the green ones! I think the SB Canning website has a recipe.
Kathy says
Never hung tomato plants to ripen like that but remember my parents cutting the “suckers” off the bottom…bottom leaves and branches (if you will) so the plant would work at ripening. For the green ones, try tomato relish and the ever popular fried green tomatoes!
cptacek says
We got a harder freeze last night than I though we would…I think my gardening days are over for 2012 🙁
Connie Reeder says
It really does work Mavis! I’m so glad you are trying it – I’m still getting red tomatoes from my hanging plants in my shed! Enjoy!
Con- SimplyLiving101.wordpress.com
Rachel says
Something I have not tried but have read about is growing the tomato plants upside down. I think you can buy special hangers to hold the soil and allow the plant to hang out the side/bottom. Not sure how your plant will go without soil/water but I will be watching with interest 🙂
Andrea says
Oh I am thinking we are going to have to try this. We have 4 plants still in the ground but they are all still mostly green.
Sally says
I have done this for years in my unheated garage; it is wonderful to get tiny red tomatoes for the Thanksgiving Table (no kidding!) not every year, but many. I have never had great luck with the larger tomatoes so good luck with hanging them. Right now, I have been covering my tomato plants with sheets, blankets and old beach towels at night; I cover them before the sun goes down to try to keep the warmth in. They are still going strong and I hope to get some big ones before its gets really cold. I am super close to the water in West Seattle so not as cold here as in other parts of Puget Sound.
suzanne says
Personally, if my husband baked my oatmeal before a trip, made homemade ice cream, cookies and real food from scratch every day, saving thousands of bucks every year. He could hang ANYTHING he wanted to upside down in my house. Spare room of course.
Ivy Lane says
hi! Love your blog! found you via a friend on FB! Going to add you to my blog roll!
Happy Monday!
Mavis says
Thanks Ivy Lane. 🙂
Sam says
A friend was telling me that his mom used to pull her tomato plants before the frost, wrap them in sheet plastic, and hang them outside (!) in a spot that was sheltered yet still received some sun. She’s passed already, so I can’t grill her for details…she was quite the gardener, and quite a lady.
Sam says
I actually have tomato plants this fall, so I’ll be trying this myself.
Harry says
Hi, how much light should there be for this method to work? My garage is pretty dark, will it work?
Mavis says
Your garage would probably be too dark! 🙁
Jennifer says
Hi…did hanging your plants upside down work? How long did they go without water? I have a tomatoe plant in a growing bag. Do you think I should just relocate it to my garage AS IS or pull it from the soil and hang? Thanks!
Francine says
Have you tried the green tomato cake, it is fabulous.
you think you are eating an apple cake.
I have made this for quite a few years and everyone loves it
Michelle says
I’m intrigued! Would you like to share the recipe?
Phil says
In the Pacific Northwest, where the tomato season is short, this is a popular method because October hits with hundreds of green tomatoes.. Unheated basement or garage works. Just clip off the leaves & you can go down every couple of days to harvest ripened ones.