Released: November 03, 2004

Storing Tomatoes Has Its Benefits

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Storing home-grown tomatoes may be beneficial this fall for the sake of nutrition and your checkbook, a Kansas State University horticulturist said.

“Horrific rains in California and hurricanes in Florida are causing the tomato supply to be smaller this fall, and in turn, consumers may see higher prices,” said Chuck Marr, horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension. “With a reduced supply of tomatoes and higher prices at local grocery stores, gardeners who can store their own tomatoes are at an advantage.”

Tomatoes can be kept for an extended period after the first freeze of the season, if they are stored properly, Marr said.

“Full-sized tomatoes on the plant should be harvested just before a freeze forecast for the area. Those with blemishes or defects should be discarded or used immediately if you can trim out the defective areas,” he said. “Those that show some signs of color and those that are completely green should be kept in a separate box or carton with a layer of newspaper separating each layer of tomatoes if you need to stack them.”

Tomatoes keep the longest at 55 degrees F, when stored in a cool, dry location, the horticulturist said. The warmer the storage temperature, the faster the tomatoes ripen. Also if tomatoes are stored at temperatures below 55 degrees, they can get what is called “chilling injury,” which causes them to rot.

When tomatoes are needed, use the ripening ones first, Marr said. Bring them to a warmer (room temperature) location for a few days before they are needed so they can finish ripening.

“Storing the tomatoes at the recommended 55 degrees should help keep tomatoes available for Thanksgiving dinner and maybe even Christmas,” Marr said.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Crystal Rahe
cer5665@ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News