 Some large heirloom varieties ripen before they reach full color. Pick them while the skin is smooth and waxy, even if the shoulders are green and they don't appear to be fully matured. And try this trick to quickly ripen the tomato. Place it in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Those fruits give off ethylene gas that hastens the ripening process. That is your old farmer's almanac radio report. Find more gardening tips online at almanac.com.