Question
Grand Junction, CO

I have several tomato plants which were growing well. Recently the tomatos have stopped maturing on the vine.  We have found several on the ground - green.  There are still many green tomatos on the vine.  The leaves look healthy and green.

Also, we are growing sugar baby watermelons.  How do we know when they are ready to pick?

Answer
Jo, ripening is a result of many factors, not the least of which is weather. The others are soil conditions and nutrients.

Magnesium and calcium are very important nutrients required for proper ripening. I always add 3 teaspoons of epsom salts to the planting hole in early spring. Scratch it in real well before transplanting, and you'll find less blossom-end rot as well as faster ripening. You can then
dissolve the epsom salts by adding 3 tsp. per gallon of water, and spray it on the plants every two weeks once they start producing fruit to hasten the ripening.

I would also advise you to amend your soil with organic matter, including peat moss, aged manure, shredded leaves, and compost. Fruit-bearing vegetables produce a very large harvest when grown in organic soil.

In regard to the watermelons, the best method is to "thump" the melon with your forefinger. If the resulting sound has a ringing or echoing sound, the melon is still too green to pick. If, however, the sound is dull, the melon is ripe. You should begin this test once the tendril (the pigtail attaching the melon to the vine) turns brown. This is a sure sign that the melon has reached its maturity.

Good luck, and enjoy your harvest.

Regards,

Mike