Tips for Storing and Preserving Your Summer Harvest Tomatoes

As summer ends, gardeners often face a surplus of tomatoes needing preservation before cooler weather arrives. These ripe fruits, though enjoyed midsummer, don’t withstand chill, and vine ripening slows dramatically towards the end of the season, leaving a mix of green, partially ripe, and red tomatoes.

How to Keep Your Tomatoes Fresh

Fortunately, several methods can extend the season and preserve their flavor. Boxed storage is effective for ripening green tomatoes, extending the availability of fresh fruit. Canning, dehydrating, and freezing are also smart options for large harvests.

Ripening Basics

Tomato ripening depends heavily on temperature. Green fruits typically take two weeks at 65-70°F, up to four weeks at 55-60°F, and may enter stasis below 55°F. Very ripe tomatoes can be refrigerated to halt ripening, but bring them back to room temperature for optimal flavor. A small bowl on the counter with a ripe apple or banana can also accelerate ripening.

Boxed Storage

Using an open bin or box provides a convenient way to store green tomatoes as they ripen. Wash and dry the fruit, line the box with crumpled newsprint, and arrange the tomatoes in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. Add additional layers of newsprint and fruit as needed, keeping the number of layers to a maximum of two for heavier varieties.