David W.E. Roberts wrote:
"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

Still got lots of outdoor tomatoes on the plants, but the weather is
beginning to get very cold.

I wouldn't like to lose any of those tomatoes which are left, so is it
too early to remove them from the plants, and if I do how do I store
them and encourage those not yet ripe to ripen?


The time to bring them in is about two hours before the first frost of the
year.

Up to then they will still ripen on the plant if they get any sun.

Seriously green tomatoes don't always ripen when you bring them in.

After the first frost the plant goes to green mush and the tomatoes go all
brown and yucky.

As to when the first frost will be.........

Cheers
Dave R

P.S. you could always bring in about 50% of them - the largest and nearest
to ripening. Then let the remainder have a chance to grow a little on the
warm days and gamble you can get the rest in before a frost.


We had our first frost a few days ago here in southern Germany. The
more tender plants are now decorating the front entryway.

Back in Ohio we would bring in any green tomatoes, with vine still
attached, if possible. The preferred storage method was in a cardboard
box top lined with newspaper. Whenever possible, we'd sit them in the
sun during the daylight hours. Those that never ripened would be made
into the classic fried green tomatoes.

-
Al