In This Article
Key Takeaways
- Tomato sorting trays are essential for tomato gardeners who want to sell or store their tomatoes.
- They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
- You can buy them at most gardening stores and online retailers.
- You can also make your tomato sorting trays if you’re handy with tools.
Tomato sorting trays are an essential tool for any tomato gardener. They help you sort your tomatoes by size, shape, and color, making selling or storing them easier.
Tomato Sorting Trays: What You Need To Know!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tomato sorting trays, including how to use them, where to buy them, and how to make your own.
What are Tomato Sorting Trays?
Tomato sorting trays are plastic trays used to sort tomatoes by size, shape, and color. They come in various sizes and shapes, an essential tool for any tomato gardener who wants to sell or store their tomatoes.
How to Use Tomato Sorting Trays?
When using tomato sorting trays, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to ensure you’re getting the most out of them. Here are some tips for using tomato sorting trays:
- Sort your tomatoes as soon as possible: It’s best to sort them as soon as you harvest them. This will help you avoid damage or bruising if you wait too long.
- Use the right size tray: Make sure to choose a tray that’s the right size for the number of tomatoes you plan to sort. If you have too many tomatoes in one tray, they can become damaged or bruised.
- Sort by size, shape, and color: Use the trays to sort your tomatoes into different categories based on their size, shape, and color. This will make it easier to sell or store your tomatoes.
- Be gentle: When handling your tomatoes, avoid any damage or bruising.
- Clean your trays regularly: To prevent the spread of disease, clean your tomato sorting trays regularly with soap and water.
Where to Buy Tomato Sorting Trays?
Tomato sorting trays are available at most gardening stores and online retailers. You can also find them at some hardware stores. When buying tomato sorting trays, choose a size appropriate for the number of tomatoes you plan to sort.
How to Make Your Tomato Sorting Trays?
Making your tomato sorting trays is a great way to save money and customize your trays to fit your needs. Here are the detailed steps to make your tomato sorting trays:
- Gather your materials: You’ll need some plastic sheeting, basic tools, and a flat surface to work on. You can use any plastic sheeting, but clear plastic is best to see the tomatoes.
- Cut the plastic sheeting: Cut the plastic sheeting into rectangles that are slightly larger than the size of your tomatoes. You can use scissors or a utility knife to do this.
- Fold the edges: Fold the edges of the plastic sheeting up to create a shallow tray. You can use a ruler or straight edge to help you make straight folds.
- Secure the corners: Use a stapler or tape to secure the corners of the tray. Ensure the corners are secure so the tray won’t collapse when you add tomatoes.
- Add your tomatoes: Place them in the tray and sort them by size, shape, and color.
- Clean your trays: To prevent the spread of disease, clean your tomato sorting trays regularly with soap and water.
What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Making Your Tomato Sorting Trays?
When making your tomato sorting trays, there are a few common mistakes that you should avoid to ensure that your trays are effective and long-lasting.
Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Using poor-quality materials: When making your tomato sorting trays, it’s important to use high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. Using low-quality materials can result in trays that break or wear out quickly.
- Choosing the wrong size: Make sure to choose a size appropriate for the number of tomatoes you plan to sort. If you have too many tomatoes in one tray, they can become damaged or bruised.
- Not securing the corners: Make sure to secure the corners of the tray with staples or tape to prevent it from collapsing when you add tomatoes.
- Not cleaning the trays regularly: To prevent the spread of disease, clean your tomato sorting trays regularly with soap and water.
- Not sorting your tomatoes as soon as possible: It’s best to sort them as soon as you harvest them to avoid any damage or bruising that can occur if you wait too long.
How do I know if my tomatoes are ripe enough for sorting?
FAQ About Tomato Sorting Trays
How do I know if my tomatoes are ripe enough for sorting?
Identifying ripe tomatoes involves a bit more than a quick visual check. Here are some tips to help you determine if your tomatoes are ripe enough for sorting:
- Check the skin: The skin of a ripe tomato should be smooth and glossy, without any wrinkles or blemishes 12.
- Feel the firmness: A ripe tomato will give slightly to pressure, while an unripe one will be hard 2.
- Smell the aroma: A ripe tomato will have a strong, sweet, earthy smell – the stronger the aroma, the riper the tomato. Unripe tomatoes won’t have much smell 2.
- Inspect the stem: A ripe tomato will have a dry, brown stem, while an unripe one will have a green stem 3.
- Check the color: The color of a ripe tomato should be fairly deep in its particular shade (unless your tomato seed packet identifies a paler color). For example, red tomatoes should be deep red, yellow tomatoes should be deep yellow, and so on 1.
Can You Recommend A Good Brand Of Plastic Sheeting?
Many plastic sheeting brands are available in the market, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs. Here are some popular brands that you might consider:
- A&C Plastics: A&C Plastics is a leading distributor of plastic sheets, rods, and tubes. They offer many plastic sheeting options, including acrylic, polycarbonate, and HDPE.
- ThomasNet: ThomasNet is a popular online directory of manufacturers and suppliers. They have a comprehensive list of PVC manufacturers and suppliers in the USA.
- The Good Plastic Company: The Good Plastic Company specializes in recycled plastic sheets and panels. Their Polygood material is made from 100% recycled plastic.
- Global Plastic Sheeting: Global Plastic Sheeting offers many plastic sheeting options, including heavy-duty surface protection, fire retardant products, and more.
When choosing a plastic sheeting brand, consider factors such as durability, transparency, and ease of use. You can also read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality of the product.
What are the benefits of using tomato sorting trays?
Using tomato sorting trays makes selling or storing your tomatoes easier. You can sort them by size, shape, and color, which makes it easier to find the right tomatoes for your needs.
What sizes do tomato sorting trays come in?
Tomato sorting trays come in a variety of sizes. You can choose a size appropriate for the number of tomatoes you plan to sort.
Can I make my tomato sorting trays?
Yes, you can make your tomato sorting trays if you’re handy with tools. There are many tutorials available online that can help you get started.
Where can I buy tomato sorting trays?
Tomato sorting trays are available at most gardening stores and online retailers. You can also find them at some hardware stores.
How do I clean my tomato sorting trays?
To clean your tomato sorting trays, wash them with soap and water. Make sure to dry them thoroughly before using them again.
I hope this guide helps you understand everything you need about tomato sorting trays!