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Tomato Ripening Issue?

alanbeealanbee Posts: 30
in Fruit & veg
I have a very small garden and this year I put a small grow house up to grow tomatoes. As you can see from the pictures its now into September and apart from the 2 tomatoes shown, there's no other fruit turning to ripen. I'm a bit concerned I will be left with a load of green tomatoes or is there still time for ripening as the weather cools and the days get shorter. We live in the north east and it hasn't been the best summer.
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  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575
    @alanbee : Hanging a couple of banana skins near the ripening trusses has been suggested elsewhere in this forum...Worth a try (especially as you get to eat the bananas beforehand! Good luck with the rest of the growing season!! [I'm in coastal SW Wales, & I've found ripening a VERY slow process too!].
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Plenty of them are turning @alanbee, so with a bit of luck, you'll get some ripening there. Bring the rest in as @philippasmith2 says, if it just gets too cool.  :)
    Mine are much slower than usual too, but even a little bit of sun this afternoon bumped the temps up in the growhouse. A few days of that will make a difference. We've had lots of days when the temp in there has been no higher than about 18, which hasn't helped.
    This is when we usually have our summer here, because July is always cool and wet, but it hasn't been the case this year. It's carried on being wet, even if many nights have been warmer than they would usually be for August. Nothing you can really do  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alanbeealanbee Posts: 30
    Thank you everyone. I feel a little more at ease now. I thought I'd put all my effort in for nothing!  :)
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I leave mine on the plants (outside, no growhouse) until there's frost forecast which is usually around late September or early October here, and they generally carry on ripening. Then I'll bring in all the remaining fruit and lay them out on the windowsill.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    You're doing better than me.

    The largest green tomato on my Bloody Butcher is about the size of a large blueberry.

    The Black Russian is doing somewhat better.

    But the bush tomato is still in flower.

    I think I was just much too late, not having grown tomatoes ever before. And the growhouse was only up and running in late July.

    Experience for next year. And perhaps 2 small jars of green tomato chutney.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    Fingers crossed for some September sun @alanbee

    Love that grow house. In fact I want one! Can I ask where you got it and if you'd recommend?
    East Lancs
  • alanbeealanbee Posts: 30
    Biglad said:
    Fingers crossed for some September sun @alanbee

    Love that grow house. In fact I want one! Can I ask where you got it and if you'd recommend?
    It was from Amazon. Palram Growhouse 4ft x 2ft about £150. Tricky to put together just take your time. Does the job, can be a bit difficult to reach inside when the plants grow big but overall happy with it
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Mine is similar @alanbee, but a timber and poly carbonate. About the same price.
    I considered a metal one with glass. It might have better for getting the heat in there, but it's been ok so far. Handy if you don't have room for a full sized one though.  :)

    I think lots of people have had a few problems this year @Ferdinand2000, so don't worry. Always next year  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Mine are still outside and still ripening ... picking a medium sized bowlful every day  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • the tidy gardenerthe tidy gardener Posts: 591
    I've had the same problem with a similar greenhouse.and so many green tomatoes!and this weekend it's being moved so I have to take off all the tomatoes and just hope they will ripen inside with a banana and some sun thru the window
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