8.1.26 - Ripening Tomatoes Indoors
Show Notes
Episode Transcript
[Intro music fades under]
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of The Keep Growing Podcast, the podcast from Bob’s Market and Greenhouses. I’m John Morgan, and I’m glad you’re tuning in today.
We’re right here in the heart of the Mid-Ohio Valley, talking about what our gardens need this first full week of August. Whether you’re in Mason, Belpre, Gallipolis, or somewhere along the Ohio River, the same seasonal rhythms apply. Let’s get into what’s going on outside and how we can keep our gardens growing strong.
Weather Outlook
Chances of showers and storms return this weekend. A few of those storms may be strong with damaging winds, and there’s some potential for localized flooding. Next week still looks unsettled. We’re looking at humid conditions with highs in the mid-80s and a lingering chance of storms heading into the week.
Keep an eye on those heavier downpours. Good drainage and airflow around your plants will help a lot right now.
Plant Cabbage and Napa Chinese Cabbage for Fall Harvest
August is a solid time to get cabbage and Napa Chinese cabbage in the ground for a fall harvest.
These cool-season crops love the shorter days and cooler nights that start showing up later this month and into September. In our Zone 6 Mid-Ohio Valley climate, planting now gives them time to size up before the first hard frosts typically arrive in mid-to-late October.
Look for transplants if you can find them, or start seeds if you prefer. Give them consistent moisture and full sun. Keep the soil evenly moist—cabbage family plants don’t like to dry out. A light side-dressing of compost or a balanced fertilizer once they’re established helps them along.
Napa Chinese cabbage tends to mature a little faster than heading cabbage and makes excellent stir-fries, soups, and fresh slaws. Both are worth the space this time of year.
If you’re looking for quality vegetable starts, stop by your local Bob’s Market and see what’s coming out of our greenhouses.
Thursday, August 6 – Last Quarter Moon
This Thursday brings the Last Quarter Moon. In the old gardening traditions many of us still follow around here, this is considered a barren time.
That makes it a good day to focus on the less glamorous but important jobs:
· Weeding
· Turning the compost pile
· General garden maintenance
It’s also an excellent time to hand-pick pests and remove any diseased foliage. With the humidity we’ve been dealing with, taking off yellowing or spotted leaves helps reduce the spread of fungal problems. Get those trimmings out of the garden rather than leaving them on the ground.
A little steady maintenance now pays off as the season winds down.
How to Ripen Green Tomatoes Off the Vine
A lot of us still have green tomatoes hanging on the vines this time of year. If a storm threatens or if the plants are starting to decline, you can finish ripening many of them indoors.
Here’s a simple method that works well:
Pick tomatoes that have reached full size and are starting to show a slight color change or a matte, mature-green look. Avoid the tiny, rock-hard ones—they usually won’t ripen well.
Place them in a single layer in a paper bag or cardboard box. Add a ripe apple or banana if you have one; the ethylene gas they give off helps speed the process. Keep them at room temperature out of direct sun. Check every couple of days and remove any that soften or show rot.
You can also set them on a counter or windowsill where they’ll get some indirect light. Just don’t let them get too hot.
Once they color up, use them just like vine-ripened tomatoes. And if a few stay stubbornly green, those make fine fried green tomatoes.
Closing
Finally, I would like to once again congratulate Sue Harbour, our 2026 Garden of the Year Winner! I’ll share video of her flower garden in the show notes. She raised zinnias and other flowers that she then sells as cut flower bouquets locally. It’s a beautiful example of what Mid-Ohio Valley gardeners can grow and share with their neighbors.
That’s it for this week’s episode. Thanks for spending a few minutes with me.
Check out our website at bobsmarket.com for the show notes and more.
Until next time, keep growing.
