Botanical Interests Tomato Pole Speckled Roman Organic Seeds

This unique and eye-catching heirloom paste tomato was created by Seed Savers Exchange member John Swenson. He crossed the heirlooms Antique Roman and Banana Legs to get this unique coloring. The oblong red fruits are 3” wide and 5” long with orange and yellow stripes/speckles and decorative enough to keep in a basket on your kitchen counter until you are ready to cook with them. But, you will appreciate the hefty, meaty fruit with few seeds the most for the excellent flavor it has in sauce. You can also use these tomatoes fresh and sliced for sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres. Try slicing them in half lengthwise and filling them with pesto or other toppings for a creative gourmet snack or appetizer. This packet plants: 15 plants (after thinning). When to plant outside: Generally started indoors, tomatoes can also be directly seeded outside! Sow in spring, after the average last spring frost and when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees. In warm winter/hot summer areas of the south, southwest, and parts of California, they can also be planted in early fall for winter harvest. When to start inside: 6-8 weeks before the average last spring frost. Special Sowing & Germination Instructions: when planting seedlings outside, bury the roots and stem up to the first set of leaves horizontally. Curve the stem above the ground to a vertical position. The stem will sprout roots and develop a strong root system.