Tomatoes: Fox Cherry
Greta’s Organic Gardens
Greta’s Organic Gardens is an organic seed company based in Gloucester Ontario. They grow plants for their uniqueness in taste, appearance, color, and shape. They’ve found the best of these qualities in old-fashioned plants and organic gardening seeds. They have grown and tested many old-fashioned varieties, and have many great-tasting vegetables on offer. Some of these plant types are quickly being replaced by hybrid and genetically altered varieties. By growing these older varieties yourself, you’ll help preserve our vegetable heritage.
Planting Instructions
A large red cherry with superb taste. Reliable, wilt-resist plants produce a good yield of 25g (1oz) fruits made for salads.
Start seeds 6-8 weeks before planting date. Sow seeds in flats or germination trays, 1/4″ deep. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85°F. After first true leaves appear, seedlings can be planted into plug trays. Seedlings are best grown at 65°F. Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and night temperatures are above 45°F. Plant spacing is 24-36″ (this is an indeterminant variety).
Seed Saving Tips
Tomatoes produce flowers capable of self-pollinating, although to improve genetic health multiple plants of the same variety should be planted together. Heirloom varieties need to be isolated by 30m, while modern varieties only require 3m to prevent cross-pollination. In the home garden, use isolation cages and shake plants within to release pollen. Choose only healthy, unblemished fruit true to variety for saving. Avoid fruit from any plants that seem to perform poorly compared to others (ex yellowing leaves, blight, etc.)
If you do not notice many pollinators in your garden, shake your plants to encourage fertilization and setting of fruit.
Allow tomatoes to ripen completely before harvesting for seed production. Allow to mature to the slightly squishy stage once off the vine.
Cut the tomato and scrape out the jelly and seeds into a jar. Fill the jar with just enough water to cover seeds. Cover jar firmly with plastic wrap, leaving only a small hole through which air can pass. Place jar in a warm location and let sit three to four days, swirling the jar each day to mix contents. Mould and scum may form, which is expected and helps sterilisation and elimination of the seed’s jelly coat. When seeds appear clear of their coat, it is time to clean the seeds that float. Decant the jar’s contents by adding and removing water several times until water runs clear. Pour seeds into a strainer and rinse. Spread seeds onto a paper towel to dry for several more days.
Break up the clumps into individual seeds, label and store in a jar, paper or plastic bag. Well-dried seed stored in a cool, dry place should maintain germability around five years.
For more information, visit http://www.seeds-organic.com/