How do I window ripen green tomatoes?

Question

I have a tomato that was knocked off the tomato plant accidentally, and I have heard that if you leave it on the window ledge that it will ripen on it's own. I have had my tomato on the ledge for 4 days now and nothing is happening yet. How long should it take for them to turn red or what do I need to do to them while they are on the ledge?

Answer 1

For it to ripen, it has to have at least started to ripen anyway--if it's completely green, without even starting to go pale, about the only thing it's good for is fried green tomatoes.  If there's a little white or darker, you really don't even need a windowsill--just sit them on the table or countertop, and they'll ripen in a few days.  We're selling tomatoes at the local farm market, and my husband just picked some last night that were mostly green, but he figured they'll be far enough along to sell as "windowsillers" by Saturday--it just takes a few days after that before they're red.  

Answer 2

The time is according to how old they are. If very young then it will take a lot longer.

Answer 3

I don't think you can

What a tomato needs to ripen, it gets from being attached to the plant.

Once it's detached from its vine it will only ripen slightly.

Answer 4

Put it in a brown paper bag, preferably with a ripe banana, close the bag, and it will ripen pretty fast.  Keep in mind that if the tomato is really immature it may not ripen at all no matter where you put it.  

Answer 5

Do not ripen in a sunny window..this will give it sunscald and also stop the natural sugars from increasing..the bag and the banana is what I use...as suggested..here I will give you a link for this..also some of my garden pictures..Heres 3 or 4 methods..NOTICE HOW IT SAYS TO KEEP OUT OF DIRECT SUN...

http://www.wikihow.com/Ripen-Green-Tomat...