How do you grow green tomatoes? And how do you know when green tomatoes are ripe? We introduce the best types of green tomatoes and give tips on planting and harvesting.
Ripe but green tomatoes? Yes, there are, even if you have to take a closer look in the middle of the green foliage. However, they are largely unknown and few actually dare to grow them. It's actually a shame, because they taste delicious. Plus, it's not that difficult to tell when the green tomatoes are ripe. In contrast to the colored fruits, the green ripening tomato varieties simply produce little or no color as soon as they are ripe. Solanine is found in unripe tomatoes and makes the fruit taste bitter until ripe. As with colored varieties, the alkaloid is initially retained in green tomato varieties, but is broken down as they ripen. When ripe, they can be enjoyed fresh or processed without hesitation. In this article we will guide you through the hidden world of green tomatoes, introduce the best varieties and give you tips on cultivation.
contents
- Green tomatoes: the best varieties
- This is how you plant and care for green tomatoes
- When are green tomatoes ripe?
Green tomatoes: the best varieties
Green tomatoes seem strange to most. Many of the wild relatives of our cultivated tomatoes mature green, for example the Chilean wild tomato (Solanum chilense). Green tomato varieties were rather neglected in breeding, which is why there are comparatively few. We have compiled the best non-seed varieties for you here.
- ‘Artisan Green Tiger‘ is an elongated cherry tomato that tapers like an icicle at the bottom. Light green stripes on the fruit turn golden yellow when ripe, similar to the ‘Green Zebra‘ tomato. It tastes fruity, sweet and sour, fresh and juicy.
- A particularly pretty and aromatic cherry tomato is ‘Aunt Ruby’s German Cherry‘. The upper half of the fruit remains dark green, while the lower half turns light yellow-orange. The fruits reach about four centimeters in diameter and taste sweet and fruity. A wonderful snack tomato that is also visually impressive.
- The flat-round beefsteak tomato was bred by Craig Lehoullier in 1997 ‘Cherokee Green‘. It has an amber-colored sheen when ripe, but remains light green on the inside. The taste is aromatic and tomato, the flesh tender and soft.
- With a wonderful aroma and a wonderfully sweet-fruity taste is the ‘Green Docs‘ a green cocktail tomato for beginners, as it is easy to care for and you can easily recognize its ripe fruits. When ripe, the fruits turn slightly yellow and the skin is also very tender.
- ‘Green Pear‘ convinces with its small pear-shaped fruits, which get a golden yellow sheen when ripe. A delicious cocktail tomato that tastes sweet and fruity, but also has a refreshing acidity.
- ‘Green Zebra‘ is probably the only common green tomato variety. It was developed in 1983 by the tomato luminary Tom Wagner in the USA. The yellow-green striped medium-sized fruits taste wonderfully fresh and fruity-sweet. The plants are healthy, robust and suitable for outdoor use.
- The beefsteak tomato with the unusual name ‘Malachite box‘ comes from Russia and is called ‘Malakhitovaya Shkatulka‘ there. The flat, round, lime-colored fruits always weigh 200 to 500 grams and taste sweet, fruity and aromatic.
- ‘Emerald apple‘ or ‘Emerald Apple‘ is a medium-sized, green beefsteak tomato. It tastes fruity and spicy and is also suitable for outdoors. It reaches a height of 1.80 meters, ripens early and then gets a golden sheen.
This is how you plant and care for green tomatoes
Green tomatoes do not differ from other colored tomatoes in terms of planting and care. From the beginning of May to mid-May, the young plants are placed in the greenhouse, later in the field or in a pot. A special tomato soil, such as ours, ensures a good start to summer Plantura tomato and vegetable soil in organic quality. The pH value and the nutrients it contains are precisely tailored to the needs of the nightshade family. Put the young plants deep in the ground and support them with a stick. Pour and mulch Keep the plants regular during the season. A primarily organic bio-fertilizer with long-term effects, like ours Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, supplies the nutrient-hungry plants sustainably as soon as the nutrients of the earth are used up.
When are green tomatoes ripe?
Green tomatoes rarely keep the same shade as they ripen. Most of them turn slightly golden yellow under the green peel, while others turn yellow stripes. This color change is a clear characteristic for recognizing the ripe fruits. If you are unsure or if you have decided on a full green variety, squeeze the fruit a little with your fingers. If the fruit gives in slightly and feels soft, it can be harvested without hesitation.
Do you fancy even more variety in the tomato patch? A selection of delicious yellow tomato varieties can be found in our variety article.
