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Tomatoes, Peppers and Freeze
Posted on 11/11/19 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 11/11/19 at 2:34 pm
Another freeze thread, but I wanted to get some thoughts on this particular issue.
I've got several green tomatoes on my tomato plants and a ton of peppers that are probably close to turning. Our forecast tomorrow is a low of 24 with temps in the mid 20s for a few hours. I can't decide if I should pick my tomatoes now and try to ripen them inside, or if I should cover the plants with a tarp/Christmas lights/try to keep them from freezing. I don't want to lose the fruits to the freeze, but I'd much rather them be able to ripen on the vine.
Thoughts? I'm not as concerned about the peppers, because even if the freeze kills the plants, the fruits should still be salvageable. Considering that tomatoes are comprised of a lot of water, I'm worried about losing them altogether.
I've got several green tomatoes on my tomato plants and a ton of peppers that are probably close to turning. Our forecast tomorrow is a low of 24 with temps in the mid 20s for a few hours. I can't decide if I should pick my tomatoes now and try to ripen them inside, or if I should cover the plants with a tarp/Christmas lights/try to keep them from freezing. I don't want to lose the fruits to the freeze, but I'd much rather them be able to ripen on the vine.
Thoughts? I'm not as concerned about the peppers, because even if the freeze kills the plants, the fruits should still be salvageable. Considering that tomatoes are comprised of a lot of water, I'm worried about losing them altogether.
3
Posted on 11/11/19 at 2:48 pm to bluemoons
1)the old school way to determine if a tomato is too green to pick, or if it will ripen after picking, is to examine the blossom end. You're looking for white lines emanating from the blossom point: some people call it a "white star". If you see some white streaks, go ahead and pick, it will ripen off the vine. Taste of ripening off the vine will be just as good as on. Even with protection, those tomato plants are pretty much done if it gets as cold as predicted.
2)mid 20s will kill those pepper plants unless they are well protected. Pick the fruits before they freeze: if they freeze on the plant, they'll be ruined.
2)mid 20s will kill those pepper plants unless they are well protected. Pick the fruits before they freeze: if they freeze on the plant, they'll be ruined.
Posted on 11/11/19 at 3:03 pm to bluemoons
Leave as much vine as you can attached to the tomatoes and put them in a south facing window. I've never had a tomato not ripen doing this. I just picked all my peppers and will probably put them on the smoker at 175 degrees until they are dried out.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 4:14 pm to bluemoons
I would cover the plants if the fruit hasn't developed fully yet.
Posted on 11/13/19 at 7:39 am to lsuson
I picked probably half and covered everything else. I’ll let you guys know how they did when I uncover everything today.
Posted on 11/13/19 at 4:06 pm to bluemoons
As I suspected, RIP peppers and tomatoes. The cold was just too much for them. It got down to 24 degrees here.
My cauliflower and broccoli took a bit of a beating too, but they should bounce back.
My cauliflower and broccoli took a bit of a beating too, but they should bounce back.
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