This year I planted a winter storage tomato plant. I thought it sounded interesting and wondered how long they would store. They were purchased from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and the variety is "Long Winter Storage". They are supposed to be stored not touching each other, in a cool dark place, in or on cardboard. I have them stored in the basement in a canning box covered up with another box. They are slowly starting to turn red. I really don't know how many will make without rotting by the time they are ready to eat though. Almost every time I check on them, another one has rotted. I don't think that I will plant then ungain, unless they are a really great tasting tomato. I will do an update when and if we get to taste one.
Winter Storage Tomatoes
Interesting, I have read so many mixed reviews over this type of tomato. I hope you are able to eat a few for your efforts!
ReplyDelete(PS- I saw you were a construction manager, my husband is as well. He asked if you were "civil or heavy highway"- it is all Greek to me, lol.)
I think this is worth it though in that you will likely get several ripe tomatoes for fresh eating during the very dark days of winter when otherwise tomatoes are not to be had (unless you buy them shipped from mexico etc).
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's a new one on me. I bet they'll be better than storebought ones!
ReplyDeleteKelly, Hopefully we will get to eat a few. I sent you an e-mail
ReplyDeleteLaura, I welcome your optimism!!
EG, See, you learn something new everyday!! We are hoping!!
I'm amazed at how many of our green tomatoes have ripened just on their own. I hope the extra work with your special winter tomatoes is worth it!
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Congratulations! This is my one hundred blog with tomato pictures..
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your projects!
Thanks for the update on these tomatoes. I was very interested to see if they are any good.
ReplyDeleteBased on your results so far, I don't think I will be growing them either. I can probably get this from regular tomatoes that are harvested green at the end of a season.
Lori, Our regualar tomatoes that were harvested green seem to be doing better then these!
ReplyDeleteMojVrt, I agree with you so far. They sounded interesting, so, I thought I would give them a try
I make a diluted bleach/water solution and drop my green tomatoes in it for about five minutes, then take them out and let them air dry on paper towels before storing them. I've never had any of them rot after doing this. I don't really measure, just put some water in the kitchen sink and add a couple of "glugs" of bleach...probably about a Tbsp. per gallon of water. I used my last tomato last week. I'd have saved more if I'd had the room to transport them south with us, but I only brought about a half dozen. In past years, we've had indoor ripened tomatoes past Christmas. I use the same bleach bath on my winter squash.
ReplyDeleteGranny, thanks for the great tip! We miss you!
ReplyDeleteI grew gourds two years ago and saved them for drying out for birdhouses. During the winter in my garage, they had black sooty fungus all over most of them and they consequently rotted. After all that, I heard that you should dip them into the bleach solution to kill all the spores, etc. that were on them. When you think about it, it really makes sense. You don't want to nuke them, just get rid of the things that could grow on them and ruin them.
ReplyDeleteI think Annie's Granny is right on the mark with her suggestion on the dip solution.
VP, the bleach solution makes sense. I pre-sprout my tomato, pepper and eggplant seeds before planting them. Last year I had a variety of pepper seed that would not sprout. I had read how to soak them in a bleach solution. I did it and I got the seeds to sprout.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried the bleach solution -- this is done with many foods processed on a commercial basis, not just stored tomatoes. I've had great success with green tomatoes ripening slowly with newspaper wrap. Store cool and out of bright light, wrapped in the newsprint works for us. Having garden tomatoes at Christmas dinner is splendid! I think I'd stick with your regular slicing tomatoes instead of a variety that isn't seeming to fit your requirements. Hopefuly they'll taste good, though!!
ReplyDeleteLynn, Although the bleach solution makes sense. I don't think I would be comfortable to eat a tomato after it has been dunked in bleach, Vodka yes! I also have more then a dozen regular tomatoes just sitting on the island that have ripen nicely. I really don't think that this storage variety is worth the space that it took up in the garden. It was a nice experiment though.
ReplyDeleteI have these going this year and I was just wondering what yours looked like when picked, mine have just gotten a pinkish hue that is washing out the green, our first frost is coming and I don't know if i should just wait till the frost comes or pull them to avoid several forty degree nights? Thanks and great growing!
ReplyDeleteHi Tsan, I would pick them before the frost. I hope that you have better luck with yours then I did! Let me know how they work out for you.
ReplyDelete