Where and how to store green tomatoes so that they turn red as quickly as possible and how to keep ripe fruits for a long time

Summer residents often have situations when they have to urgently remove crops from the bushes. And it doesn't matter if the vegetables were ripe. Many people get upset about this, because they think that green vegetables are no longer fit for consumption. In the article, this myth will be completely dispelled, we will tell you how to properly store the crop so that the tomatoes plucked with green turn red.

There are several ways to store unripe tomatoes - we will describe each of them in detail.

Why it is necessary to shoot unripe tomatoes

Since the premature picking of tomatoes is a compulsory measure, it is necessary to understand: why summer residents resort to it. There are several reasons for picking tomatoes early.

Reasons why tomatoes do not have time to ripen

The reason may be the wrong selection of varieties. Quite often, summer residents, especially beginners, choose late-ripening varieties for growing in the open field. In this case, ripening occurs in autumn, when the cold begins. Until this time, the bush slowly grows, slowly forms ovaries and overgrows with greenery. And only after all these stages does the slow ripening of fruits begin.

Such tomatoes begin to ripen only in autumn, when the air temperature no longer allows them to ripen on the bushes. If they are not harvested green, there is a risk of completely losing the crop. Remember: late varieties are ideal for growing in greenhouses.

Attention! For vegetables to ripen before frost in the open field, choose early and mid-season varieties.

Another reason is improper care of the bushes. If you want to get the harvest on time, it is necessary to pinch and form the plant during the intensive growth of the bush. You need regular feeding, but during the ripening of the fruits, do not overdo it. Choose fertilizers that are high in potassium.

Also, late planting of plants can be the reason. As a result, the crop will have to be harvested prematurely so that the cold does not destroy the crop in the bud.

Types of varieties for storage

Not all tomatoes can be stored. But don't be upset about this. There are many varieties that will survive until ripening.

Long-term cultures:

• almost all varieties of yellow tomatoes;
• Giraffe;
• Vasilisa;
• Jeanne;
• Autumn gift;
• Orange ball;
• Snowfall F1;
• Long Keeper;
• New Year;
• Crunch F1;
• Slowback F1;
• Rio;
• all winter tomatoes.

This is not a complete list of varieties and hybrids that can ripen green.

But such varieties as Dubok or Japanese can be stored for no more than two months.

Conditions for long storage and ripening of green tomatoes

To keep your tomatoes as long as possible, follow a few simple guidelines. Compliance with them will allow the fruit to maintain freshness and aroma. When stored properly, the taste remains the same as that of those fruits that you were able to pick when ripe.

At what temperature to store and how long

Temperature is the most important indicator for proper storage. The warmer it is in the room where the green fruits are, the sooner they will ripen. Accordingly, the lower the temperature, the slower the maturity of the fruit will come. Summer residents recommend storing unripe tomatoes at an air temperature of at least 20 ° C heat.

Place all tomatoes in boxes and cover with paper. This will protect the tomatoes from direct sunlight. It is best to place containers in the kitchen. It is there that it is always warm and not damp. Store the tomatoes until fully ripe, until they turn their characteristic red color. How quickly this happens depends only on what conditions are created and whether tomato care is properly implemented.

When to pick tomatoes for ripening

The harvest time for ripening is largely determined by the characteristics of the variety.... Depending on the degree of ripeness, tomatoes can be divided:

• to green - usually used exclusively for culinary processing, they are rarely eaten;
• blange - you need to collect at the moment when the fruits began to acquire a greenish or orange color;
• ripe - it is necessary to watch how reddening of tomatoes occurs, pink ones can already be collected for storage.

Blanches ripen quite quickly after harvest, but green ones - on the contrary. They will need to be stored from several weeks but several months. Experts advise not to take small tomatoes for long-term storage, as well as those that have damage. It is not worth keeping those that have already come under even slight frosts.

Choosing the best storage location

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a storage location:

• optimum temperature + 20–23 ° C;
• low humidity;
• the room must be dry;
• where the fruits will be stored, there should be no bright sun.

Artificial light

Artificial lighting is used to ripen the tomatoes as soon as possible. An ordinary lamp can become such a light source. It must be placed over the boxes of tomatoes and turned on periodically. Under artificial lighting, tomatoes ripen quickly and intensively.

How to store green tomatoes so they turn red and ripe at home

There are certain rules to follow for ripening tomatoes at home. Let's consider in more detail ways to accelerate ripening on branches, in stacks, etc.

How to accelerate ripening

These tricks will speed up the ripening of plucked tomatoes:

• put tomatoes in paper bags and put a banana between them, it will release a special enzyme that will speed up the growth process;
• fill the box with fruits with sawdust;
• so that during storage the fungus does not affect the fruits, they are treated with alcohol;
• put boxes of tomatoes in a dark cellar for several hours, then take them out and put them in a warm room, so they turn red faster;
• some summer residents put tomatoes in felt boots;
• put a few already ripe in a box with unripe tomatoes.

Ways to accelerate the ripening of tomatoes on branches

For this storage method, you need to dig out all the bushes that have unripe tomatoes. This should be done as carefully as possible without damaging the root system. After that, hang the bushes in a dark, dry room with the roots up. The air temperature in the room must be at least + 20 ... + 23 ° C, otherwise the vegetables will wither.

Maturing in stacks

This method is suitable if there are a lot of unripe tomatoes left on the bushes. The bushes are cut at the very base, stacked in stacks in a warm and dark room so that the tops are in the middle. Then the stacks are insulated with a cloth or bundles of straw.

How to keep red tomatoes

Not only unripe tomatoes can be stored for a long time. There are several original ways for ripe tomatoes:

• put vegetables in jars and sprinkle them with mustard powder;
• put in a jar and fill it with a small amount of alcohol, then set it on fire and close the lid. This will create a vacuum that allows the tomatoes to be stored for a long time;
• can be stored in the freezer either whole or cut into pieces.

Tips & Tricks

It is not recommended to eat unripe tomatoes, as they contain specific enzymes. These substances, entering the human body, can cause poisoning. However, there are many preservation recipesthat use green tomatoes. In pickles, toxic compounds are neutralized.

If you want to have ripe tomatoes all year round, you can start growing tomatoes at home. Hybrids that do not require intensive care are suitable for this. They can be grown in small pots.

Conclusion

It is not difficult to create optimal conditions for the ripening of tomatoes. Proper care and timely harvesting will help preserve the flavor and aroma of your vegetables.

In order not to have to pick tomatoes before they have time to ripen, you need to do regular care and create all the necessary conditions for the plants.

If you had to collect unripe tomatoes- do not be upset. Under the right conditions, they will ripen quickly at home.