Spanish Winter Longkeeper Tomato Seeds

Historically, Spanish Winter whole plants were harvested near the end of the growing season and hung upside down in sheds or pantries to ripen over the winter, a practice that highlights its excellent storage capability.

How to Grow Storage Tomatoes. Do Not Start With Your Regular Varieties!

Storage tomatoes are started later than typical slicing tomatoes because the goal is to produce fruit that can be stored for months rather than eaten immediately. Seeds are generally sown four to six weeks before the last frost, or in cooler climates sometimes as late as April or May. Starting too early can produce overgrown plants and early fruit that does not store well.

Seeds should be planted about a quarter inch deep in a light, well-draining seed-starting mix. The soil should be kept at 21 to 24 degrees Celsius until germination, which typically occurs in seven to fourteen days. Once seedlings emerge, they require strong light to grow sturdy and avoid becoming tall and weak.

After the seedlings have two to three true leaves, thin to the strongest plants and prepare them for transplant. Plants are moved outdoors once the risk of frost has passed. Proper spacing and support with stakes or cages help prevent fruit from touching the soil and reduce the chance of decay.

The goal of starting storage tomatoes this way is to produce firm, mature-green fruit in the late season. These fruits have low water content and thick skins, which allows them to be kept for months without spoiling. Timing the planting properly maximizes both the yield and the storage potential.

These Ramillette de Mallorca Longkeeper tomato seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.

These endangered seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.