Speed Ripening of Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Squash and Melons
As the end of the growing and harvest season nears in much of the country, many gardeners are concerned all those small green tomatoes, immature pumpkins and melons won’t have time to ripen. Speed things along with a bit of pruning.
Pinch off the tips of each stem of indeterminate tomatoes about a month before the average first fall frost. These tomato varieties will keep growing, flowering and forming fruit until the frost kills the plant. Pinching out the stem tips redirects the plant's energy into ripening the existing fruit instead of producing more flowers and tomatoes that won't have time to mature.
Do the same with vine crops like pumpkins, winter squash and melons that may not be ripening as quickly as desired. Once the plant has formed all the fruit you desire, pinch off the tip of each stem. This will speed ripening of the existing fruit.
A bit more information: Extend the harvest season with the help of season extending fabrics like garden fabric, Harvest Guard and ReeMay. These spun materials allow air, light and water through while trapping heat around the plants.
Related
Article
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
Register here
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 20, 2026
Herb Container Workshop
Pewaukee, WI
Register here
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
June 10, 2026
Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium
Brookfield, WI
More information
July 9, 2026
Ebert's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ixonia, WI
August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
