soft tomatoes - Ask Extension
My tomato plan is full of green tomatoes but when they start to turn red the go soft.Is there anything I can do at this point to solve this.Thank you
Knowledgebase
soft tomatoes #880022
Asked August 03, 2024, 12:18 PM EDT
My tomato plan is full of green tomatoes but when they start to turn red the go soft.Is there anything I can do at this point to solve this.Thank you
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Nancy,
I suspect this, like many things, is a result of the on-going heat we've experienced the last few weeks. Most tomatoes don't ripen when it's too hot, but perhaps the heat has also sped up the ripening process.
Another factor may be too much nitrogen. If you're fertilizing regularly, hold off until things cool off.
You may also want to shade the tomatoes, if possible. Using a 20-30% shade cloth can help keep the temperature on the tomatoes more moderate and regular. (The shade cloth still allows for 70-80% of the sun's rays to the plant.)
Try to be patient and wait it out. If it continues to happen, pick them as they first start to blush and let them ripen on a counter or windowsill.
I suspect this, like many things, is a result of the on-going heat we've experienced the last few weeks. Most tomatoes don't ripen when it's too hot, but perhaps the heat has also sped up the ripening process.
Another factor may be too much nitrogen. If you're fertilizing regularly, hold off until things cool off.
You may also want to shade the tomatoes, if possible. Using a 20-30% shade cloth can help keep the temperature on the tomatoes more moderate and regular. (The shade cloth still allows for 70-80% of the sun's rays to the plant.)
Try to be patient and wait it out. If it continues to happen, pick them as they first start to blush and let them ripen on a counter or windowsill.
