It’s garden harvest time in the Southeast, and while many plants have been doing very well this season, something strange has been going on with the tomatoes. Many gardeners have noticed their vines and branches growing tall and lush, while the tomatoes themselves, though normal to large in size, have stayed green.
Erna Wiebe, Co-Owner of Oakridge Greenhouse and Garden Centre, says the reason for this is three-fold:
The first cause Erna mentions has been the smoke.
“A lack of sunshine can often keep tomatoes from ripening. They may go to a blush colour or just start ripening and then they slow right down.”
Secondly, Erna says the cool night temperatures we’ve experience throughout the summer are likely a factor as well.
“Again, you may get that blush on your tomato, but it won’t finish up properly. In fact, those cool temperatures we’ve been having, they’ll impact the flavour of your tomato somewhat as well.”
Interestingly, the third and final cause Erna gives doesn’t have to do with the weather at all, but rather, the size of the plant the tomatoes are growing on.
“A plant that is bushy and big and has a lot of leaves and a lot of branching will be a huge competitor for the tomato fruit itself.”
Erna says, in this case, one way to speed ripening is to trim back the tomato plant. She encourages gardeners to trim back everything that isn't producing fruit, including branches with flowers, which are not likely to ripen this time of year anyway. She also says fully grown tomatoes can be picked from the plant and brought inside, which will speed up ripening.
Erna concluded her thoughts by sharing an encouragement to the community:
“Keep gardening. It is very rewarding, and the fruit is just fantastic.”