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Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds

9/3/2013

Heirloom tomatoes are tomatoes that have been handed down from generation to generation by saving the seeds. These tomatoes, like my chocolate cherry tomatoes, are prized for their exceptional flavor.

Although you can buy heirloom seeds from seed catalogs, many gardeners prefer to save their own. Saving the seeds is easier than you might think.

How to Save Tomato Seeds

Allow the tomato to ripen fully. Immature seeds will not germinate.
Remove the seeds from the tomato, with the gel that surrounds the seed attached.
Place the seeds in a jar or bowl of tepid water.
Stir the seeds everyday for approximately 5 days. Do not change the water. The fermentation process separates the seed from the gel.
Drain the seeds when they have sunken to the bottom of the jar.
Spread them on newspaper or paper towel to dry thoroughly.
Store the dried seeds in an airtight container for the following year.
Label the container with the type of tomato seed it contains.

Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!

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Chocolate Cherry tomatoes melt in your mouth

9/1/2013

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This year I tried chocolate cherry tomatoes in my garden. I'll admit I wasn't quite sure what to expect from them. I was hoping for interesting color, but what I got was an amazing cherry tomato bursting with flavor.

Although the fruit didn't ripen until the end o August, these delightful chocolate tomatoes were worth the wait. Each cherry tomato is round and plump - approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter - and a deep brown-red that actually resembles the color of chocolate. In the flesh inside the tomato is the same delicious shade of brown-red.

But it wasn't just the color of these cherry tomatoes that impressed me. The flavor is amazing. These juicy little morsels are sweet and mild with a hint of fresh plums. Some seed catalogs describe them as tangy, but I don't agree.

If you are looking for a new variety of cherry tomatoes to add to your collection, I recommend giving the chocolate cherry tomato a try.

Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!

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