Gardening expert Monty Don has shared a simple and cost-effective method to ripen green tomatoes using a common kitchen item. The trick involves placing unripe tomatoes in a drawer with a banana, which releases ethylene gas to accelerate the ripening process.
According to Don, tomatoes ripen best at temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius. However, this summer's heat was too intense for many, especially those grown under glass, leaving them green longer than usual. As September brings cooler weather, many gardeners are left with tomatoes that will never ripen on the plant.
Don advises picking the tomatoes individually or on the vine and placing them in a drawer with a banana. The ripe banana produces large amounts of ethylene gas, which helps turn the tomatoes red. For those who prefer an alternative method, a ventilated container such as a perforated plastic bag, brown paper sack, or cardboard box can be used. Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer in a warm, draft-free spot, and check regularly to remove any that ripen to prevent overripening.
For gardeners willing to wait, Don suggests removing some foliage to allow sunlight to reach the fruit directly, encouraging natural ripening on the plant.
