{"product_id":"federle-tomato-seeds","title":"Federle Tomato Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFederle Tomato Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow a harvest made for the sauce pot with Federle, an heirloom paste tomato prized for elongated red fruits reaching up to 7 inches long. Rich flavor, meaty flesh, and very few seeds make it a rewarding choice for salsa, sauces, tomato paste, and canning. Also known as Federle’s Italian Paste, this indeterminate variety keeps producing through the warm growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVariety at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 85 days from transplant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elongated red paste tomatoes, up to 7 inches long, with rich flavor and few seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indeterminate; sturdy cage or trellis required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 36–60 inches tall and 24–36 inches wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost-tender annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Federle Tomatoes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStart Seeds Indoors\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSow indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the mix evenly moist, not soggy, with temperatures of 65–85°F during germination. Seedlings typically emerge in 7–10 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge and remove any humidity dome for airflow. Thin to one strong seedling per cell. Begin gentle feeding after two sets of true leaves develop, and pot up as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTransplant and Support\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarden seedlings off gradually, then transplant after frost danger has passed and conditions are warm. Choose full sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.2–6.8. Plant stems deeper to encourage additional roots, removing any leaves that would be buried.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpace plants 24–36 inches apart with rows at least 36 inches apart. Install a sturdy cage or trellis at planting. For square foot gardening, use 1 plant per sq ft only with a vertical trellis and regular pruning; allow additional room for caged plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSeasonal Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep soil moisture consistent and feed according to your soil’s needs. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can favor leafy growth over fruit production. Prune selectively for manageable growth and airflow, and keep lower foliage off the soil. Check regularly for hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and other common tomato pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvesting and Kitchen Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBegin harvesting when fruits are fully red, approximately 85 days after transplanting. Gently twist ripe tomatoes from the vine or clip the stems. As an indeterminate tomato, Federle ripens fruit over an extended period, with the harvest window depending on weather and season length.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts meaty texture and low seed content are especially useful for simmering into rich sauces and paste or chopping into flavorful salsa. Harvest regularly and enjoy fresh fruit alongside your processing batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Federle?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFederle brings distinctive, extra-long fruit to the heirloom tomato garden. It is a practical choice for gardeners who want full-flavored red tomatoes for preserving and a later-season harvest from supported vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTips From Our Gardeners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive this late-maturing variety an early indoor start and strong support from the beginning. Steady moisture and balanced feeding help you grow a useful kitchen harvest without encouraging excessive foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"~25+ Seeds","offer_id":67638271737990,"sku":"TLM\/TB-25-89-1225-32","price":3.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"~50+ Seeds","offer_id":67638271770758,"sku":"TLM\/TB-50-89-1225-33","price":5.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/image_666efc1f-924c-4b30-a00f-824fbfb619b4.png?v=1791508468","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/federle-tomato-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}