Re: Ripe Tomatoes Was: Ripe oranges

You can tell when citrus is ripe based on when it comes off the tree.  Grab
the fruit and give a gentle tug.  If it comes off, it's ripe.  If you bring
any part of the branch with you, you've pulled too hard.  As people have
pointed out, color is irrelavant as a general marker, though it may help
you with a particular tree or variety.

Another way to get ripe fruit is to gently shake a branch.  I don't like
doing this because you lose the flowers for next year (doesn't seem to
affect the yield but I'm not sure).  Ripe fruit will fall off.  Ripe fruit
often also falls off by itself, or in the wind.  The problem here is that
some fruit will cling to the tree (or get lodged in the Y of a branch) and
will get overripe.  You can tell if it's ripe by knocking it with a long
object, like a rake handle, and seeing if it falls.

I don't know how to tell when fruit is ripe if it is nowhere near its
tree.  But then I don't generally buy citrus.  

Tomatoes are also done by feel.  They should no longer be rock hard like
they are when green.  Most will change color first then get soft.  A slight
tug will remove the ripe ones.  The problem here is some varieties are
overripe by the time they come off with a slight touch.  Some need a firmer
pull (but I've never known one that had to be cut off).  You will learn
very quickly what is right for your particular tomatoes.

I've found in general that harvesting of most fruit is best done by feel
and not by looks.  The looks will guide you to the likely candidates but
only feel will tell you if it's ready.  Blackberries, raspberries,
blueberries, apples, and figs are all other fruits in my yard that we
harvest by ease of removal.  For other plants feel is also important though
not necessarily in the same way.  For example, artichokes have to feel
right before they're ready, and then you cut them off the stem.

So go caress your fruit and vegetables...it's the best way to get to know
them.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Chemically sensitive/disabled - Organic Gardening only by choice and neccessity
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)           cyndi@consultclarity.com
                                                 http://www.consultclarity.com/
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