Ink & watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper in 6×8 sketchbook
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I don’t know why some of my tomatoes are growing so strangely, with funny little noses and other appendages. Maybe they’re a little crowded? Or it’s just the nature of this type. I’ve got 5 plants of different types of tomatoes and these are the only ones doing this. I live in a normally foggy summer area and last year my tomatoes didn’t get ripe until the end of October. This year they’re doing great as it’s been lovely sunny weather all summer.
I’ve been trying to figure out whether it’s sunlight or warmth that makes tomatoes get ripe. I’m guessing it’s the sunlight but maybe it’s both. If it was hot out but dark all the time, or very bright and sunny but cold, they wouldn’t ripen. But what makes them ripen? I know I could just look this up somewhere but it’s more fun to try to mull it over and come up with theories… But if you know, please do tell!
I’m also curious if what makes tomatoes ripen is the same thing that makes peaches or plums ripen (they’re both reddish) but what about green things. Do they need to ripen to? I’ve never heard of ripe spinach or ripe lettuce.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
8 replies on “Funny tomatoes from my garden”
Those appendages are a hoot. Ones imagination could go wild. Wish I could answer your question about what tomatoes need to ripen. When I buy tomatoes (next year we are going to plant them) I put them in the cupboard out of the light. They last longer. I don’t like the taste of tomatoes that have been in the refrigerator.
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I like your art. you have some really nice pictures. I don’t know why tomatos and other fruits and vegetables sometimes grow funny. My dad was always pulling weird looking fruits and such out of our garden when I was a kid.
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I don’t know about the appendages, but I believe it’s heat that makes tomatoes ripen. New Jersey is famous for tomatoes because, not only does it get hot in the summer, but, because of the humidity, it stays hot at night. This also makes sugars form faster in corn.
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A little experiment would come in handy and full of surprising data for next year. The best combination there is, is a scientific mind with ability to draw what he/she sees.
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Love the tomatoes you’ve depicted here Jana. Beautiful ripe color … yum.
I remember as a child my grandmother had picked a tomato from her garden and it had a long nose on it … so she quickly grabbed a hair pen and made a pair of specticles to set upon the nose … it was so cute, I hated to see it ripen more.
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I’ve never had luck growing tomatoes in Seattle. But I did grow up in Ohio where the tomatoes are so awesome and delicious. I miss them so much! My family in Ohio tells me you need warm nights for them to ripen properly, and that’s why I have no luck in Seattle…too few warm nights….and days, for that matter!
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My father-in-law, who lived in San Francisco’s Sunset District, had success with tomatoes one year, when he went out each night and put big black plastic garbage bags over the plants. I think he said the temperature should stay above 55 degrees at night for proper ripening. They were certainly a treat that summer… As always, your artwork is inspiring. Thanks.
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I think you are right when you say it’s both heat and light. Without the length of days, it wouldn’t happen. We’ve got lots of heat here in Tennessee, but the days are shorter, and you can see the decline in the garden — and late plantings take longer to mature with shorter days and less light. But it’s still in the 80s every day. And some things definitely require more heat, and some more light. My Lenten Roses and Witch Hazel bloom in February, when there is little light, but some bit more heat. As for ripe spinach, it depends on the size of the leaf. Baby spinach is tender and delicious and wonderful to eat raw. Mature spinach is OK, but better steamed or sauteed.
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