{"product_id":"bellstar-paste-tomato-seeds","title":"Bellstar Paste Tomato, Open-Pollinated Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBellstar Paste Tomato Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eTurn a garden harvest into flavorful homemade sauce with Bellstar, also known as Bellestar. This Canadian open-pollinated tomato produces firm, meaty red fruits on compact determinate plants. Enjoy the harvest cooked into sauce or puree, roasted with herbs, or sliced fresh into a summer salad.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Bellstar?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeaty processing fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red tomatoes commonly weigh approximately 4–5 ounces and range from round to slightly elongated or oval.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact determinate plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bushy habit suits home gardens and generously sized containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelatively early harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 65–75 days from transplant, with timing affected by seed selection and growing conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJointless stems:\u003c\/strong\u003e A processing-variety trait that helps fruit separate without the calyx attached.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile flavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Useful for sauces, puree, roasting, and fresh eating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCanadian breeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Developed at Smithfield Experiment Farm in Ontario and introduced in 1981. Described here as open-pollinated rather than a traditional heirloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Growing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your intended transplant date. Sow approximately ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix, provide warmth for germination, and give seedlings strong light. Harden off gradually before planting outdoors after frost danger has passed and conditions have warmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. A small cage or stake helps support fruiting branches and keeps tomatoes off the soil. Plant height varies by selection and growing conditions, so allow room for a spreading bush rather than relying on a fixed height. Avoid routinely removing side shoots from determinate plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater consistently at soil level and mulch to conserve moisture. For square foot gardening, use \u003cstrong\u003e1 plant per sq ft (cage and extra canopy room required)\u003c\/strong\u003e; allow more room for unsupported plants. A compact plant still needs space for airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHarvest Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 65–75 days from transplant; weather and growing conditions affect timing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Firm red paste tomatoes, commonly 4–5 ounces, round to slightly elongated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact determinate, with regular leaves and jointless stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest pattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Often suited to batch processing, but ripening can extend over a longer period depending on conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost-tender warm-season annual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePacket options:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 25 or 50 seeds; choose your packet size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest when fruit is fully red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Bellstar is described as crack-resistant by some seed sources, but abrupt moisture changes can still cause splitting. Sauce thickness and cooking time depend on the fruit and preparation method.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Bellstar an heirloom?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is an open-pollinated variety introduced in 1981. Because traditional heirloom definitions differ, this listing uses its documented open-pollinated status rather than an heirloom claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill every plant stay under two feet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Sources report different plant heights. Expect compact determinate growth, provide support as needed, and allow enough canopy space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs it only for cooking?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Its meaty fruit is useful for processing but can also be enjoyed fresh in salads or sliced alongside a meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes early maturity mean frost tolerance?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Bellstar is frost-tender. Wait for warm planting conditions and protect plants from cold weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC. Open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds selected for your garden.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"~25 Seeds","offer_id":42677944778886,"sku":"TB\/B1-25-85-425-30","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"~50 Seeds","offer_id":42677944811654,"sku":"TB\/B1-50-25-85-425-30","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.1304114243_8u7i.jpg?v=1763217422","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/bellstar-paste-tomato-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}