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This is my first year gardening and so I don't know if this is normal. My tomatoes started to change color and then just stopped at a light red-ish shade. I keep waiting for them to get darker, but it doesn't seem to be happening. They have been the same color for 3-4 weeks now. Should I just give up on the color and pick them before they go bad? How do I know when they are ready to be picked?
There are folks far more knowledgeable than myself that can help you, but I do know that tomatoes can be picked at first blush and you can let the fruit ripen on your kitchen counter or something. I think the key is to store in a dry, cool (moderate?) area.
Are you growing in pots or out in a garden? What type of tomato plant do you have?
ripeness is more about texture than color, there are many varieties that do not get red. I pull mine when a slight squeeze gives way a little - usually when they get red, they are dangerously close to over ripe and splitting. An orange tomato will last days on your counter and slowly ripen as well...
How has the weather been? What kind of tomatoes? have you tried one yet? give them a poke to see if they are still firm and under ripe.
-joe-
Honestly, I can't tell you what tomatoes I planted...I don't remember. Next time I will keep the plastic stick with the names on them :-) They are growing in half wine barrels. Until this week, our weather has been in the high 90's during the days and in the low 60's/high 50's at night. This week has been a little cooler- only going into the mid 80's. Thanks for the help.
I'd go a head and pick them. I always pick anything that is blushing. Don't have time to pick every day. I raise a lot of tomatoes and give away a lot of them. This way I can give tomatoes at several different stages and the folks can have tomatoes over a longer span. Mostly, I share with the older folks at church that can't garden anymore. Of course, I have to give some to the younger people, because they don't know how to garden.
