You're Picking Tomatoes WRONG: NEVER Vine Ripen A Tomato Again!

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  • čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
  • In this video, I share how to pick a tomato off the vine for the best taste and biggest harvest! But, it may not be what you think! Vine ripened tomatoes are a myth - a scam! Don't be fooled. If you are picking vine ripened tomatoes, you're picking tomatoes wrong! Never vine ripen a tomato again, because it puts your tomato harvest at risk!
    Knowing when to pick a tomato is critical for maximizing harvests. Pick a tomato too early and it will not fully develop its flavor. Pick a tomato too late and the tomato may be destroyed by insects, birds or bad weather before you get to harvest your precious fruit. This video explains the best way to pick tomatoes and sets the record straight.
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    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    0:00 The Vine Ripened Tomato Lie
    1:23 Stages Of Tomato Ripening
    2:34 Why Grocery Store Tomatoes Taste Bad
    3:45 The Problem With Vine Ripening Tomatoes
    4:38 Tomato Breaker Stage
    6:16 The Best Time To Pick A Tomato
    9:30 How To Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
    12:58 The Psychology Of Vine Ripened Tomatoes
    16:12 Adventures With Dale
    If you have any questions about how to grow tomatoes, want to know about the things I grow in my raised bed vegetable garden and edible landscaping food forest, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and garden hacks, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share some DIY and "how to" garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please ask in the Comments below!
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    EQUIPMENT I MOST OFTEN USE IN MY GARDEN*:
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    ABOUT MY GARDEN
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    © The Millennial Gardener
    #gardening #garden #gardeningtips #tomatoes #tomato

Komentáře • 1K

  • @TheMillennialGardener
    @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +87

    If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 🍅TIMESTAMPS for convenience:
    0:00 The Vine Ripened Tomato Lie
    1:23 Stages Of Tomato Ripening
    2:34 Why Grocery Store Tomatoes Taste Bad
    3:45 The Problem With Vine Ripening Tomatoes
    4:38 Tomato Breaker Stage
    6:16 The Best Time To Pick A Tomato
    9:30 How To Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
    12:58 The Psychology Of Vine Ripened Tomatoes
    16:12 Adventures With Dale

    • @cynthiacollins2668
      @cynthiacollins2668 Před měsícem +7

      I stopped waiting until they are totally ready to eat because they tend to crack so bad, and then they don't keep as well.
      My question is, if they are sealed off from the plant, how come they crack? I thought that was from them continuing to take in water?
      I agree; picking them a little earlier doesn't hurt the flavor one bit!

    • @jimmyriggin
      @jimmyriggin Před měsícem +5

      Thank you very much for the very thorough and in depth Explanation of the various stages of ripening. I made a video the other day and I had mentioned my brief reason why I am cut a tomato before it was ripe. It was nowhere near as colorful and informative as yours lol. I just kept it simple and said in my video that you don’t have to keep the tomato on there because it’s already absorbed all the nutrient it needs. I did not in no way go as in depth as you and I do appreciate your time and effort to put this video together. It helps many people understand this process in the very educational way. I do my best to teach in my own way, I’m just getting started with this new garden and this channel. My channel is not for everyone. I do things a little differently and hope my channel inspires other people to think outside the box and I hope that the people that watch your channel understand these things much better with knowledge based information that you share through your content your videos. It’s absolutely amazing. Thank you for all your hard work!

    • @jimmyriggin
      @jimmyriggin Před měsícem

      My garden channel
      youtube.com/@squirrelsgarden58?si=SiYkME-0g0srpGnk

    • @natureboy6410
      @natureboy6410 Před měsícem +1

      ​@@cynthiacollins2668Not sure about your area, but here in the Southwest, because of the environment being so hot and dry, with hot dry winds, low humidity and high temperatures, it is necessary to pick early. Otherwise the skin dries too fast and cracks and splits when the internal moisture expands from the heat.

    • @chadshaffer45
      @chadshaffer45 Před 29 dny

      What about peppers? Pick early as well?

  • @scottolson6201
    @scottolson6201 Před 27 dny +150

    70 year old gardener here and I have been growing tomatoes for many of those years, and this is one of the most informative videos on tomatoes I've ever watched. Thanks for adding to the gardening knowledge of this old dog!

    • @eb1684
      @eb1684 Před 16 dny +1

      Are you talking about Dale?

    • @anthonylombardo1306
      @anthonylombardo1306 Před 14 dny

      Ill trust your word.

    • @angelmartinelli9983
      @angelmartinelli9983 Před 12 dny +2

      Wow, cool. I wondered why store bought tomatos tasted like shit. I never eat tomatos in the winter.

    • @eb1684
      @eb1684 Před 12 dny +1

      @@angelmartinelli9983 You must eat it to know what it tastes like.

    • @angelmartinelli9983
      @angelmartinelli9983 Před 12 dny

      @eb1684 I have tasted them that's why I don't eat them anymore, that's all that's available in the winter, so I don't eat tomatos in the winter ever

  • @kevinduta5549
    @kevinduta5549 Před měsícem +197

    This was one of your best videos for tomatoes. This isn’t discussed as frequently by most influencers and a major tip

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +36

      I agree. I honestly think it's one of those "little known facts." Or, at least, it's a fact that has been lost because of the internet. Looking back, my grandfather *always* picked his tomatoes early and let them finish ripening on the porch, but the internet has popularized photos of blood red tomatoes hanging on vines, so I think the knowledge of past generations has been forgotten. Whatever it is, I hope this video helps people.

    • @teamshoemaker
      @teamshoemaker Před měsícem +10

      Too many bugs or birds getting them if you leave them. Also I give a lot of extra away, so it allows a few days time to use them up.

    • @davidscarborough713
      @davidscarborough713 Před měsícem +4

      Yep. Excellent video. Thank you.

    • @Lochness19
      @Lochness19 Před měsícem +2

      @@teamshoemaker I haven't had too much of any issue with bugs and critters eating them vine ripened. Sometimes the occasional chipmunk nipple but mainly just on the cherry tomatoes and there's far more than they can keep up with, not to mention they're often drawn away by the nearby raspberries.

    • @jesswelsh9838
      @jesswelsh9838 Před 29 dny +2

      I agree! Great info💚

  • @robertphillips4854
    @robertphillips4854 Před měsícem +68

    Do not like to say that I am wrong on anything. I was one of those who harvested RED tomatoes only. I am going to be a good listener for a change. Thank you. (Enid Phillips)

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +12

      Give it a shot. Just don't pick it *too early* because that could genuinely impact the flavor. Let it get close to halfway and you should be good to go.

    • @Fuzzythirtyone
      @Fuzzythirtyone Před 28 dny +2

      I made the same mistake with pears…

  • @ToneCre8
    @ToneCre8 Před měsícem +112

    I love how this channel content isn't driven by sponsors! The information provided is far more trustworthy as a result. Thank you!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +33

      You're welcome! I don't think sponsorships are necessarily bad, but I just do this because I really love it. My garden is my sanctuary.

    • @claustelmach5305
      @claustelmach5305 Před 29 dny +5

      then find a way to support him through his amazon list or shop

    • @user-ri2ph4ep5h
      @user-ri2ph4ep5h Před 28 dny +5

      Same here! I've been so turned off by the evolution of my favorite gardening channels that are mainly pushing products, now.

    • @proudboxermom3104
      @proudboxermom3104 Před 27 dny +4

      @@TheMillennialGardener
      I agree 100%!!
      "My garden is my sanctuary"
      It keeps me sane in this insane world!!
      Thank you for all you do
      I'm a brand new gardener, and I've learned so much from you and try to watch all your videos!!
      You rock!!

  • @sarathompson6628
    @sarathompson6628 Před 28 dny +60

    Considering that the half-ripe fruits I’m harvesting now are coming off the vine with little to no resistance, it makes sense that the plant has finished nourishing the fruit.

  • @floraputman6006
    @floraputman6006 Před 29 dny +37

    So guilty of " just one more day" to go out and be frustrated that a critter got it first........Thanks so much for this info.
    God Bless

  • @ndbg46881
    @ndbg46881 Před měsícem +35

    Yep, old lady gardener here and I can attest that picking tomatoes at the breaker stage is the way too go. Took me years to believe it but it is true. I did a taste test between letting them stay on the vine and ripening them inside - no difference. Honestly, it reduces so much stress letting them ripen inside!

  • @t0mt0mt0m
    @t0mt0mt0m Před 28 dny +98

    As a grocer who sells thousands of pounds of tomato of different types year round. This is all correct information. Sadly people will fight any type of information that conflicts with their own.

    • @dross10001
      @dross10001 Před 27 dny +8

      Grocery tomatoes...🤮 They are picked way too early to give them a longer shelf life.

    • @giftedwithEsteem
      @giftedwithEsteem Před 26 dny +2

      Cognitive dissonance.

    • @kellyvcraig
      @kellyvcraig Před 25 dny +3

      @@dross10001, thus was born the name hothouse, that is, tasteless, tomatoes.

    • @ayecaptin
      @ayecaptin Před 22 dny +1

      ​@@dross10001I don't think it's the harvesting time that affects the taste. I've harvested tomatoes to early and they just don't ripen, if they ripen at all the timing may be fine. The taste is probably more of a result of what they are fed.

    • @_JimmyBeGood
      @_JimmyBeGood Před 17 dny

      Yes they will. See half of the western world in their political views lol

  • @jc5066
    @jc5066 Před 28 dny +35

    The not letting tomatoes get cold is the best tip. I have known this for years. I hate the fact that every restaurant refrigerates their tomatoes and always taste horrible. Many grocery stores do the same.

    • @37yearsofanythingisenough39
      @37yearsofanythingisenough39 Před 10 dny +1

      If the restaurant didn’t refrigerate they would get warnings to do so from the local health dept. who know nothing about tomatoes, but claim to know everything about food poisoning 😮

    • @sandycarlton2650
      @sandycarlton2650 Před 9 dny

      Maybe the restaurant uses them up quick enuf before the tomatoes have a chance of losing quality.. or they just don’t care about the quality they are serving..🤷‍♀️

    • @briantaylor496
      @briantaylor496 Před 9 dny +3

      Tomatoes never go in refrigeration unless they have been sliced and leftover, which never happens at my house. lol

  • @normanhooten9445
    @normanhooten9445 Před 27 dny +25

    I am 70 years old & have grown tomatoes for 50 of them...& you're right ! Old wives tales die hard. But your info about stages of ripeness, storage, etc. are spot-on.🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

  • @bmiller1958
    @bmiller1958 Před měsícem +58

    ❤ 17 straight minutes of content JAM PACKED with GREAT INFORMATION!!!
    I learned a lot!!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +6

      I'm glad you enjoyed it! I tried to storyboard it as efficiently as possible 😀

  • @Mark-lw8bg
    @Mark-lw8bg Před měsícem +30

    I have been growing tomatoes for a few years. Last year i grew 185 lbs of tomatoes in my backyard garden. I can say for a fact that everything mentioned in this video is true and it works. It took me a long time to realize that picking my fruit early gave me the best results. Now that stink bugs are a major issue for my tomatoes and peppers, it is especially important to pick them before they are attacked. In mid to late summer, I often have up to 10 trays of tomatoes ripening in my dining room, at any given time.

    • @Julie-bp1zf
      @Julie-bp1zf Před 28 dny +3

      Can i do the same with peppers?
      I had some crop loss due to bugs eating the peppers last year

  • @Maria-ql3fc
    @Maria-ql3fc Před měsícem +89

    Many people in the sticks where I use to live would buy a case of green tomatoes from a local tomato farmer in the fall, they would wrap them individually in News paper in a box and close the box and put it under the bed or in a closet. When they wanted ripe tomatoes they would unwrap some and set them out on the counter, in just a few days they had ripe tomatoes.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +14

      Funny thing is if they took a sheet of newspaper and covered the whole box, the ethylene would build up and ripen them all quickly. It's pretty fascinating.

    • @lindamorgan2678
      @lindamorgan2678 Před měsícem +8

      I do that to all the ones unripened before frost sometimes I do not wrap them just lay them flat and don't let them touch

    • @user-km6wm4et1x
      @user-km6wm4et1x Před 29 dny +10

      ​@@lindamorgan2678I left some unripe yellow pear-shaped tomatoes just lying around in different rooms of the house last autumn and months later, really months, the ripened tomatoes remained unspoiled. Some didn't start shrivelling or drying up until 5-6 months later.

    • @Maria-ql3fc
      @Maria-ql3fc Před 28 dny +14

      @@TheMillennialGardener but they didn't want them all to ripen at once, they wanted to have ripe tomatoes through the winter

    • @maureenramirez6905
      @maureenramirez6905 Před 22 dny +4

      I do this every fall before frost. I eat red-ripe tomatoes well into the winter.

  • @karricompton
    @karricompton Před měsícem +86

    My husband has been telling me this for years! I’m like, “you pick them when they’re orange!” 😂
    Thank you! I now have to admit he was right!

    • @lostpony4885
      @lostpony4885 Před měsícem +6

      Red. Even if it werent true id need to cuz pests dont wait...

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +17

      He was right, but you don't have to admit it 😆

    • @rickbroomhead3226
      @rickbroomhead3226 Před 29 dny +6

      I have to tell someone else to tell my wife because she never believes me.

    • @jf1274
      @jf1274 Před 29 dny +6

      As a husband that doesnt get many wins, Im taking this as a personal win. Thank you for your sacrifice!

    • @kellyvcraig
      @kellyvcraig Před 28 dny

      Orange? Oh hell NO. Regardless of what anyone says, letting your maters turn red is not a problem. Said another way, I don't think the folks growing a hundred acres of tomatoes are fully ignorant of how to grow and when to pick them.
      Yes, waiting until they are super soft is iffy, at times, other times, just bring a salt shaker out to the patch with you and. . . .

  • @chirkware
    @chirkware Před 26 dny +11

    I started listening to this video thinking "no way I'm going to agree with this nonsense". I ended it thinking "huh...I'm going to have to do some blind taste tests this summer!". I specifically started gardening so I could have "vine ripened tomatoes"...this challenges what "vine ripened" really means. Very interesting! Very logical breakdown of the facts.

  • @jennifersmith2567
    @jennifersmith2567 Před 29 dny +16

    I just had this discussion with my husband a couple nights ago. He told me that I was picking the tomatoes too soon that I should wait for them to turn red. And I told him if I wait for them to turn red the critters will probably get them first. I was so glad to see this video confirming what I was thinking😊

  • @GretchensVeganBakery
    @GretchensVeganBakery Před 29 dny +22

    This is so crazy that you put this video up yesterday!!
    Last evening I was out in my garden, picking my tomatoes at about 30% ripeness and I said to myself “I believe that vine ripe tomatoes is a myth. There’s no way people let their tomatoes ripen all the way on the vine!” 😅 👌🏼

  • @pizmot3893
    @pizmot3893 Před měsícem +35

    Hey, I could have told you that 40 years ago. Down here in Florida, when the tomatoes and peppers are forming, the birds and varmits are going into their cupboards getting out their knives, forks and bibs. I don't mind sharing, but it reaches a point! 20% tomato crop loss even picking them early. The last week the varmits have attacked the peppers (even Hot) with Hannibal Lecture efficiency. It's war!

    • @patriciaduffield2319
      @patriciaduffield2319 Před měsícem +5

      Florida 9b Found out the hard way . Squirrels beat me to it 🤬

    • @TexasNana2
      @TexasNana2 Před měsícem +7

      Raccoons love my tomatoes 😠😡

    • @nonyadamnbusiness9887
      @nonyadamnbusiness9887 Před měsícem +6

      Terriers and house cats. Also, a good perch for hawks and owls.

    • @jonathan-ku3ed
      @jonathan-ku3ed Před měsícem +4

      NY slugs and rolly polly,s

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +7

      Depending on where you're at, if you're growing tomatoes during the rainy season, even worse than the pests is the splitting. For every tomato I lose to pests, I lose 2-3 from the rain if I let them vine ripen. It's best to pick them half ripe and let the countertop finish them.

  • @AmishFury
    @AmishFury Před měsícem +32

    This is my 3rd year growing tomatoes. This was extremely informative and I'll never let my tomatoes just hang. My issue is splitting and now I know. Thanks for always giving direct info and brining in the technicals and real word into a great video.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +2

      I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Let them go to half-ripe and that should be far enough. No need to risk them beyond that point.

    • @AmishFury
      @AmishFury Před měsícem +2

      @@TheMillennialGardener I lost a lot of cherry tomato's last year to splitting. I'll pick sooner and let ripen. I also am heeding your container growing guidance since I added hoops to my raised beds and am growing them in 5 gal buckets this year. First time successfully growing from seed as well. Lots going on in my little back yard this year. Grapes, Strawberries, many other things. Really enjoy the content, keep it up. Now to deal with these slugs.

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem +1

      Well how exactly could your tomatoes be splitting if the plant separates itself from the tomato??

    • @MsLookinup
      @MsLookinup Před 18 dny

      @@MikeR65That is a good question, but I notice that my cherry tomatoes do split sometimes when I am washing them in the sink. Must be too ripe at that point? IDK

  • @melissa7233
    @melissa7233 Před 29 dny +10

    I figured this out several years ago when I started gardening. I was mainly picking early because critters (mainly rodents) were raiding my garden. MANY people criticized me for doing it, but this was the only way I was going to get a harvest.
    However I didn't know about not ripening them in sunlight. I don't generally do that, but I never realized that it could cause a problem.

  • @stevesmith4051
    @stevesmith4051 Před 27 dny +10

    I've been growing vegetables and tomatoes for close to two decades before you were born, I learn something new every year. Homegrown tomatoes are the number one treat from the garden for me. For tomato advice, I'm looking no further than your channel. I'm so glad you're here for us!

  • @Wellbaby94
    @Wellbaby94 Před měsícem +23

    Wow, learned something new! I knew to pick my tomatoes as they colored up but I have always put them in my kitchen WINDOW. Gotta go move a bunch of tomatoes. . .

    • @karricompton
      @karricompton Před měsícem +4

      Me too!

    • @nonyadamnbusiness9887
      @nonyadamnbusiness9887 Před měsícem +5

      I think you should move half and study the results. My mother always ripened hers in an east facing window..

    • @jeas4980
      @jeas4980 Před měsícem +3

      That's where I keep the ones I want to stay green... for fried green tomatoes. They develope the flavor I like after 2 days on the window sil. The rest go in a big paper grocery bag.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 29 dny +8

      Try both. Your window blocks most UV rays, surprisingly. Keep some in your window, put some on your counter in the shade. See which way you like better. You may prefer one way over the other.

    • @ZeFeratu
      @ZeFeratu Před 28 dny +2

      ​@@TheMillennialGardener I'm digging this idea. My tomatoes in the East facing window take 1-3 weeks to ripen, but I pick those when they are still green (depending on the condition of the plant)
      I'm going to conduct an experiment like this with one of my plants and compare.

  • @warnerwinborne
    @warnerwinborne Před 28 dny +7

    I grew up in Hanover County, Virginia, the "Tomato Capital of the World". As a boy I would work during the summers in the tomato fields. Because we went from farm to market, we would pick a tomato as soon as it started turning pink on the bottom. All tomatoes would then go to the sorting tables at the farmhouse. Those with the most color would go to the markets. Those with less would ripen another day or two and then go.
    In short, you are absolutely correct that a "vine-ripened tomato" is one that has begun to turn, not one that is beet red.

  • @marygrott8095
    @marygrott8095 Před 29 dny +9

    I learned this a couple of years ago from one of my FB gardening group.. I was getting so discouraged from.losing almost fully ripened tomatoes to pests. I posted a picture and was advised to harvest the tomatoes earlier, almost as soon as it starts blushing. I've saved a lot of tomatoes by doing that, and the flavor is always great!

  • @jaybeliever1479
    @jaybeliever1479 Před 29 dny +8

    I just returned from being gone 2 days and found two beautiful tomatoes partially ruined by either splitting or a bird pecking. I was waiting "one more day" to pick 4 tomatoes when I watched this video. It's dark, but I just went out and picked them. Thanks for this video.!!

  • @KevinSmith-dq9tz
    @KevinSmith-dq9tz Před 28 dny +6

    Been trying to tell people this for years. I'm in east central Fl. Totaly organic. Pick at about 30 to 50 % max. Give them time. Some neighbors tried to argue with me about that. Now they buy from me. 🤷‍♂️. Hard down here in the heat and humidy in the summers. Birds like to drink my fruits. Ripend fruits on the vine don't last long. In the house or on the vine. Just for the point of view, I've been doing this a long time. Your channel is by far above the others. Really appreciate your efforts that put into this.

  • @pinkmonkeybird2644
    @pinkmonkeybird2644 Před 16 dny +2

    I figured this out on my own last year when I had to pick tomatoes at about the 50% ripe stage because a few of my plants got wilt. I realized the tomatoes picked at that stage and ripened on my kitchen counter tasted exactly the same as the fully ripe tomatoes I was picking from my healthy plants. I knew about the use of ethylene in the ripening process, and I did put a few of my 50% ripe tomatoes in a paper bag with a banana, and sure enough, they quickly ripened. For the rock hard, end of season green tomatoes, I pickled those, made salsa with them, or turned them into that iconic Southern American dish fried green tomatoes.
    I’m no gardening genius, I’m still in the novice stage, but I’m glad to know I was actually right about a gardening fact for once. Now if anyone can explain why my eggplant and heirloom pepper seedlings are still tiny even though they germinated over a month ago, I’d be very grateful. It’s been cool and very rainy/overcast, could that be the reason?

  • @kkiissssiikk
    @kkiissssiikk Před měsícem +8

    My grandmother from Siberia was getting 30%-50% ripe tomatoes and ripen them on sunny windowsill. 😊
    It’s also helps tomato with releasing some weight from the vine.
    I love how very informative your videos. The best detailed content out there.

  • @jasonhawkins2717
    @jasonhawkins2717 Před 29 dny +9

    Great video thank you. I am definitely one of those “gotta let it ripen fully on the vine” kind of people. I am glad to know that I no longer have to do this. Look forward to trying it out this year.

  • @davidpeak1323
    @davidpeak1323 Před měsícem +12

    I started a container garden a few years ago. I’m growing tomatoes this year from your recommendations. I’m also growing dwarf tomatoes from the dwarf tomato project. I’ve learned so much from your channel! Thanks so much for all your efforts to produce informative content!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +6

      I'm curious to hear how things turn out. Please let me know later in the year. I'm curious how you will like the Dwarf Tomato Project plants. They're very interesting and unlike any other tomatoes. They're built like little trees and the flowers look like dandelions.

    • @davidpeak1323
      @davidpeak1323 Před měsícem +1

      @@TheMillennialGardener I also started an early tomato project back in January. I seed started 2 Rosella Purple & 1 Siletz Jan 6 with a goal of tomatoes by June. I have tennis size tomatoes on the Siletz.

  • @cryptoguy70
    @cryptoguy70 Před 26 dny +4

    I saw the thumbnail and said to myself "yeah, whatever bro". After scrolling down another page or two I decided to go back and watch it. I am glad I did! Thank you for the great information.

  • @eventhisidistaken
    @eventhisidistaken Před 27 dny +4

    I grow my own. Home grown and vine ripened are indescribably delicious. You can't even compare it to anything you'll find in a grocery store no matter how much you pay. That said, a tomato that has started to turn and is then picked and allowed to ripen in the sun vs one allowed to completely ripen on the vine, are not a lot different. But also, from the time it starts to change color until it's vine ripe is only a week or two anyway.

  • @y0g_s0th0th
    @y0g_s0th0th Před měsícem +19

    I love it when you upload. Every time I learn something new!!! This information is so so crucial. I had no idea I could cut my tomatoes off sooner! Last year, I came outside and beetles had taken out some of my ripe tomato while on the vine.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +4

      I used to make that mistake, too. Pick them when they're halfway and you'll lose so many less tomatoes!

  • @oxigen85
    @oxigen85 Před 28 dny +4

    I really appreciate how you make the video more easily watchable by adding Celsius. Thank you!

  • @tinameschko
    @tinameschko Před 26 dny +2

    I'm so glad I saw this! I have to pick my tomatoes when they are blushing before the bird's get them. Thanks for a great video. I've learned so much from this channel.

  • @TheBestPaJam
    @TheBestPaJam Před 29 dny +4

    What’s growing on!! Dang you are already harvesting.. I just planted my homegrown tomatoes in-ground on Saturday. Northern California.

  • @cynthiamartinez5884
    @cynthiamartinez5884 Před měsícem +3

    Yea! Finally, the video I asked you to make last year. I've seen so many gardening YT channels mention this but I've never seen anyone do a dedicated and informative video on the topic. I'm glad to have a source to point people to now when so many people on gardening FB groups are adamant about a tomato picked before fully ripe is the same as grocery store tomatoes.

  • @tjuedes
    @tjuedes Před 28 dny +4

    Totally agree with you. Especially here in TN. The rain will crack them all the time if i dont pick early. I like to pick right after they start to blush. Helps with insects attacking as well. Thanks for the science behind the tip.

  • @emydonavan6254
    @emydonavan6254 Před 7 dny

    Dude, this was so useful. Half of my tomatoes get lost to birds and squirrels, but almost always when they’re close to ripe. Not this year!!!

  • @gailoreilly1516
    @gailoreilly1516 Před 25 dny +2

    WOW. You described my tomatoes (split, bug bites etc) for the last 2 years. I just didn't know to pick them earlier. Thank you!

  • @monicalinerode1783
    @monicalinerode1783 Před 27 dny +3

    Great to hear the facts of tomato ripening stages. I noticed this in the autumn when frost was expected we would pick half ripened tomatoes and when they full ripened they tasted great

  • @andrewflei
    @andrewflei Před měsícem +4

    I've been growing Tomatoes for years and today I learned something, thank you for this video.

  • @ambermize8950
    @ambermize8950 Před 28 dny +2

    I think all of your videos are just great!! I’ve been learning so much!

  • @QUI2Clean
    @QUI2Clean Před 24 dny

    Loved this video ! I’ve been using your videos to start my first garden and I’m off to a great start!

  • @cingleinva
    @cingleinva Před 25 dny +3

    In my opinion, this is your best video yet! Invaluable information, thank you!!

  • @pingwin466
    @pingwin466 Před měsícem +5

    Great video as usual. We love Dale too. Started tomato's in Fla from seed in November 6 plants in the pool screen area, Cut suckers for months and made 50 plants, Built large raised beds to accommodate all the new garden, Disease and animals taking their toll last couple weeks picked them all and removed the heirlooms this week left the determinates. I ate tomato's sandwiches for the last 3 months and we have about a hundred German Johnson green on every table in the house lol. Army worms, every leaf disease, borer worms, just started and over 5 inches of rain this last week. Your channel has inspired us immensely Thank you for the hard work you do.

    • @BNOBLE.
      @BNOBLE. Před měsícem +2

      I did almost the exact same thing here in central Florida and thought I started the season to early. Had a great harvest and ate my LAST tom sand for lunch today

  • @misskfountain4070
    @misskfountain4070 Před 10 dny

    On my third video of yours. So glad to have found you. Everything you say is backed up with knowledge, and experience, and explained so clearly. I am now a subscriber and thank you for sharing in such a clear, makes sense way!.

  • @kerrykroberts7809
    @kerrykroberts7809 Před 26 dny

    Great video and very helpful - I am going to use your advise this year!

  • @DavidWilmering
    @DavidWilmering Před měsícem +4

    I got some 8x12 drawstring net bags off amazon to try on my tomatoes this year. I had trouble with squirrels stealing my tomatoes last year ,even when they were not fully ripened. I think the net bags covering the tomato clusters will fix this. Thanks for busting up the myth of vine ripening because I never would have thought otherwise.

    • @PatC.
      @PatC. Před měsícem +1

      Maybe if you spray near your tomatoes with neem oil or insecticidal soap, (both have a strong chemical odor), perhaps it would deter the critters.

  • @user-ri2ph4ep5h
    @user-ri2ph4ep5h Před 28 dny +3

    Thanks! Well researched and thorough. I've grown tomatoes for over 10 yrs. and was interested to see if there was something I didn't know. I was hoping to hear " the sooner you pick...the more you get", like beans, peas, cukes, etc. The explanation of how the partially ripe fruit gets cut off was new info to me and explains things. Thank you! I just subscribed.

  • @LewisFamilyNaturalHealth
    @LewisFamilyNaturalHealth Před 29 dny +1

    This was soooo helpful and I'm grateful you shared this! I will be picking earlier from now on, thanks a million!!

  • @denisbelanger4473
    @denisbelanger4473 Před měsícem +1

    Another great video I did not realize all of this I've been growing tomatoes 45 years and learned so much form this thank you please don't stop.

  • @joyfullife2905
    @joyfullife2905 Před měsícem +7

    Great idea to prevent birds stealing your tomatoes. Thank you for your wonderful information.

    • @PatC.
      @PatC. Před měsícem +3

      They say that birds aren't eating your tomatoes, instead they are quenching thirst and that you should put a pan of water out for them.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 29 dny +1

      You're welcome!

    • @joyfullife2905
      @joyfullife2905 Před 29 dny +1

      @@PatC. Thanks for your advice. I do put a pan with water on my backyard. I also have few bowls of water for toads during summer.

  • @grannygct
    @grannygct Před 29 dny +3

    Hi Millennial Gardener, thank you so much for the informative video on ripening tomatoes. You made some good points. Now I understood the stage of the ripening process. Last year, my tomatoes were on the vine a bit too long and they were somewhat mushy. This year, I will not let my tomatoes go too far so to compare the difference. I will let you know how my fruits turn out following your suggestions. YES, never put tomatoes in the refrigerator. The fruits are tasteless, soft and mushy at times. Ripe tomatoes will be left in my fridge ONLY if I can't use them right away. Once in the fridge, I will use them later to make soups or sauces. Great video!

  • @ethelnygaard7788
    @ethelnygaard7788 Před 7 dny

    I always learn something new from your videos. I look forward to the end to see what Dale is up to. Thanks for all the tips.

  • @Crystal-iy6gx
    @Crystal-iy6gx Před měsícem +1

    You are so correct never have i left it on until fully ripe on the vine.

  • @KK-FL
    @KK-FL Před měsícem +4

    I don't even wait until 30% due to the dang squirrels & rats! I pick them at "first blush" these days. I've even had them chew through the mesh bags before. So many people don't know they don't have to wait till their tomatoes are ripe to pick them. Good information!

    • @lindamorgan2678
      @lindamorgan2678 Před měsícem

      To me they taste alot better if they ripen on the vine and each variety has it's nuances that will come through

  • @nonyadamnbusiness9887
    @nonyadamnbusiness9887 Před měsícem +5

    There are other reasons people think vine ripened is better. Storing unripe tomatoes in the refrigerator shuts them down and they never ripen. Seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit is ideal ripening temperature.

    • @lindamorgan2678
      @lindamorgan2678 Před měsícem

      Taste is gone when you put them in the fridge

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem +1

      or they simply are better.

    • @dross10001
      @dross10001 Před 27 dny

      Vine ripened taste better. There is a difference. Vine ripened will have more sugars and acid that they will continue to develop from the plant.

  • @kristen_jackson
    @kristen_jackson Před 19 dny +1

    Wow this is incredible information! I have tomatoes that will be ready to pick sooner than I thought.

  • @Mr_OhGod01
    @Mr_OhGod01 Před 27 dny +1

    We need a garden tour!!! It’s looking great!

  • @jonathangibson6965
    @jonathangibson6965 Před měsícem +3

    Well, this will save a whole lot of frustration. So much time wasted trying to "verbally encourage" my tomatoes to ripen😂.
    A couple of seed questions that you may have already answered. Is there a particular company that you get your seeds from? How long will seeds last if kept dry and dark?

  • @mpk0424
    @mpk0424 Před měsícem +6

    I agree with the science of this video but I think a fully ripe tomato taste better right off of the plant IF you eat it right away. The summer temps that keep a tomato in the 80-95 degree range are just phenomenal. When they get to room temp they suffer in flavor....

  • @sarahpaxson2084
    @sarahpaxson2084 Před 16 dny +1

    I’ve been doing this for years because something would eat my tomatoes once it ripened. I am so glad to hear exactly why this works. 🙌👏🏼

  • @Lovinthegoodlife
    @Lovinthegoodlife Před měsícem +1

    great info!! Thanks for all you do❤

  • @beckymartinez9926
    @beckymartinez9926 Před měsícem +7

    The one thing that you didn’t include was that picking them in the hot part of the day is when their sugar content is the highest. They will be the most flavorful.

    • @lindamorgan2678
      @lindamorgan2678 Před měsícem +1

      Opposite of peas and beans get them in the early morning as long as the dew is off the plant

    • @miltkarr5109
      @miltkarr5109 Před měsícem +1

      Baloney

    • @beckymartinez9926
      @beckymartinez9926 Před 29 dny

      @@lindamorgan2678 and lettuce
      It’s crisp in the morning

    • @dross10001
      @dross10001 Před 27 dny

      This is not true. The sugars produced in the tomato do not fluctuate throughout the day.

  • @flyfishdr
    @flyfishdr Před 29 dny +4

    "Bad things" equal squirrels
    They attack right before tomatoes ripen

  • @davidb6961
    @davidb6961 Před 29 dny

    Thanks Anthony for this. Anything for delicious home grown tomatoes. I will do this next tomato season. Here in Australia we are about to start our winter months.

  • @MrAbrayton
    @MrAbrayton Před 15 dny

    Thank you for creating this video! This is my first serious year of tomato gardening and thanks to people like you and youtube, I am learning the "I I dont know enough to know that I dont know" stuff!!

  • @BB_outdoors
    @BB_outdoors Před měsícem +5

    I don't want to believe that but I think I'm going to try it out thank you

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +5

      I was resistant to the idea at first, too, but it's true.

    • @BB_outdoors
      @BB_outdoors Před měsícem +3

      I just went and picked already I appreciate the tip

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem +1

      You are smart to be skeptical. This whole breaker stage garbage is perpetrated by Big AG.

  • @Meyohe
    @Meyohe Před měsícem +9

    If the breaker stage really ''closes'' off the cell walls, maybe you can make an experiment by plucking one tomato off the vine and puting it right next to one that is still hanging on the vine (preferably from the same plant and vine) and you could see which tomato starts rotting faster, if the one on the vine doesnt last longer then you are probably right.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem

      I think that would be tough because it's so hot here in the summer and my house is (obviously) air conditioned, so the climate control of my house would probably slow the process. It would be tricky to do. If I left it outside, it would have to be protected somehow, but it couldn't be under a bucket, because then it would trap the ethylene and speed ripening 😆

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem +5

      How about this, if the tomato plant is actually closing the tomato off from the plant why would you even have to worry about tomatoes splitting. Something isn’t adding up.

    • @wickedhick
      @wickedhick Před měsícem +2

      @@MikeR65 I don’t think the tomatoes are splitting because they’re still “connected“ nutritionally to the plant. They are most likely splitting because of the exterior weather conditions that have nothing to do with the plant.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 29 dny +2

      @@MikeR65 yes, because the splitting is caused by changes in temperatures and humidity. Fruits expand and contract with the heating and cooling of the day and night, and when you get extreme humidity and heavy rainfall, the air becomes so wet that the tomatoes swell. When tomatoes are green, it doesn't matter much, but when they're ripe, they're so fragile they crack, especially the thin-skinned, heirloom types.

    • @geoffcook5859
      @geoffcook5859 Před 29 dny +1

      @@TheMillennialGardener Ignore the troll, he has paraphrased the same comment at least 3 times. I've been growing tomatoes for around 20 years and started pulling them early like this about 3 years ago. Absolutely no discernible difference in taste and they definitely stay healthier and less for those pesky squirrels. Even though I've been doing this for a while I have picked up some useful tips from you, appreciate it.

  • @randthor9344
    @randthor9344 Před 27 dny +1

    This is the best gardening tip I've seen on your channel so far. Thanks for all your hard work

  • @jeffreymarler4137
    @jeffreymarler4137 Před 25 dny

    I always appreciate your videos. Helpful information clearly presented. Thanks

  • @JohnWood-tk1ge
    @JohnWood-tk1ge Před měsícem +8

    Thursday May 16th was a very good day my niece came home from Veterinary University, I had to pick her up at JFK airport. Four hours one way down and another four back. So didn’t get much done in the garden but it was a good day! Also saw my first purple asparagus shoots.

    • @TexasNana2
      @TexasNana2 Před měsícem +1

      Congratulations 👏 👏 😊

    • @JohnWood-tk1ge
      @JohnWood-tk1ge Před měsícem +1

      @@TexasNana2 thank you!

    • @TexasNana2
      @TexasNana2 Před měsícem +1

      @@JohnWood-tk1ge You're very welcome 🙂

  • @Vunderbread
    @Vunderbread Před měsícem +4

    Awesome video. Busting common myths, highly educational, no nonsense 👍

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem

      I think the myth is pulling the tomato early fabricated by big AG . If the plant puts a barrier between itself and the tomato why would you have to worry about splitting??

  • @kthornton6323
    @kthornton6323 Před měsícem +1

    Very helpful and good information. Your videos are always very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

  • @orangeswell1469
    @orangeswell1469 Před 29 dny +1

    FANTASTIC VIDEO!! ❤ Im so glad you shared this!!!

  • @WilliamWBG
    @WilliamWBG Před 25 dny +4

    The terpenes and complex flavonoids become more developed the longer the tomato ripens on the vine. The perfect tasting tomato is more at risk of getting damaged but that a gamble I’m willing to take vs getting a pretty LOOKING tomato. If you’re trying to sell produce for profit, yes, pick early and ripen it using controlled environment. But the longer that tomato ripens on the vine- the more complex the homegrown flavor

    • @FM-ij7iu
      @FM-ij7iu Před 16 dny +1

      @williamWBG I agree with you . I tested this several years ago. I don’t eat tomatoes unless they are homegrown. My only reason for growing them is for their complexity of flavor. Maybe it depends on one’s sensitivity to the complexity of flavor and texture.
      Also factory farmed chicken and beef tastes nothing like pasture raised chicken and grass fed beef.

  • @rameyelayan3727
    @rameyelayan3727 Před měsícem +3

    What are you favorite things to grow in 7gal grow bags? I have a bunch left that I need to use

    • @rellimarual
      @rellimarual Před měsícem

      Bush beans are great if you pick a variety that’s bred for containers. They produce a lot!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před měsícem +1

      Determinate tomatoes, Dwarf Tomato Project tomatoes, eggplant, ground cherries, tomatillos and vigorous pepper plants.

  • @audreytempleton4415
    @audreytempleton4415 Před 26 dny

    Wow..i learned some valuable information .this changes everything.thank you ...hi Dale!

  • @WinsomeWinslet
    @WinsomeWinslet Před 5 dny

    Gardening for about 30 years now and this is something I intuitively figured out over the years as we would watch perfect nearly ripened tomatoes split, be eaten or taken altogether by animals. Now I know that it was the right decision to pull them "early" and I have you to thank! So thanks!!!

  • @davetir
    @davetir Před měsícem +4

    If the tomato is completely sealed off from the plant at 30% color, what causes them to split? I always thought they take in too much water, but if they are sealed off from the plant, that can't be the case.

  • @WebSurfingIsMyPastime
    @WebSurfingIsMyPastime Před měsícem +5

    huge difference between vine-ripened tomato taste and tomatoes that are picked early. But yes, tomatoes get picked by pests when you let them vine-ripen

    • @MikeR65
      @MikeR65 Před měsícem

      It is so patently obvious it’s laughable. Some people are just victim to big AG and their desire to fool people.

  • @johnmunaretta5290
    @johnmunaretta5290 Před 18 dny

    Awesome info dude ! Love your channel! Best advice on you tube! I’m going to pick my Tomatoes sooner this year ! I I took your advice when planting my Tomatoes and used bone meal coating the roots my tomatoes looking awesome so far this year! Keep up the great work and xideos

  • @kathywadleigh8815
    @kathywadleigh8815 Před měsícem +1

    Great info. I have been doing this for years. My season is so short I don’t want to chance losing anything to the elements.
    Your garden looks amazing.

  • @MikeR65
    @MikeR65 Před měsícem +7

    If the tomatoes were sealed off from the plant when at the breaker stage how is it that excessive water will make them crack? Shouldn’t be possible.

  • @Vulcar123
    @Vulcar123 Před měsícem +1

    Growing a garden for my dad this year and all of your advice has been extremely helpful, thank you very much! Our cherry tomatoes are doing very well along with our better boy--our beefsteak is struggling a bit but still going strong enough lol. The other plants like potatoes, peppers etc have been growing good too thanks to your knowledge!

  • @atempereddream
    @atempereddream Před 21 dnem

    Wow! Wow, wow!!! Thank you for presenting a great case with all the data. I have lost countless fruits waiting for optimal vine ripening, that stops today!

  • @kimthames2531
    @kimthames2531 Před 25 dny +3

    Perception not reality? Well the best tomatoes I've ever had have stayed on the vine til fully ripened. And I'm talking taste and also I'm talking best textured. I'm just not trusting this.

  • @whilethevossisaway
    @whilethevossisaway Před měsícem +1

    Definitely going to try this for this year’s harvest

  • @reneeadams9673
    @reneeadams9673 Před měsícem +2

    Super timely video, as usual. Some of my tomatoes are getting ready to start ripening. I always look forward to your videos - I always learn something useful.

  • @raymondhusser2189
    @raymondhusser2189 Před 27 dny +1

    Here in the Deep South we were taught this exact same thing because of all the things you mentioned. Great info for a back yard gardener!!

  • @jsfarmgirl
    @jsfarmgirl Před měsícem +1

    This was very informative. Thanks so much!

  • @yellopinki
    @yellopinki Před 18 dny

    Thanks. I’ve been using both methods but this has been very educational for me❤

  • @user-kp5vd1tg3r
    @user-kp5vd1tg3r Před 18 dny

    This episode is very helpful. I had recently learned not to leave on the vine. Now, with all your information I will know when to remove from the vine.

  • @Chewie576
    @Chewie576 Před měsícem +1

    First time I've heard this. I'll give it a try this year. Thanks!

  • @carolpursley2901
    @carolpursley2901 Před měsícem +1

    Thank you for this video. Most people do not have this knowledge. Thanks from a girl raised on the farm 60 years ago.

  • @TheSwissy4me
    @TheSwissy4me Před měsícem +1

    Awesome video. You are so helpful. I appreciate your hard work My garden thanks you, too. I’ve set mine up just like yours little by little since I’ve e been following you. I had 100% success last year and this year is looking great despite our crappy spring weather with storms and loads of rain. Everything you share has been amazing. Give Dale a hug. I hope you, your wife and Dale have a great day!

  • @susanjh7163
    @susanjh7163 Před 6 dny

    Great video! Thank you for all this information😊

  • @keiththompson2289
    @keiththompson2289 Před 27 dny +1

    Really good information! I've lost a lot of tomatoes during those last few days of vine ripening.