Save the seeds from heirloom tomatoes.
The German pink tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a versatile heirloom tomato used for canning, freezing and slicing. It is an indeterminate variety, so it grows 8 to 10 feet and needs support. Since this variety is not often locally sold, you'll have to start it from seed. Does this Spark an idea?
Starting Seeds
Start the seeds indoors six weeks before the last frost date. Go to "The Old Farmer's Almanac" website to find the last frost date in your region. Sew seeds indoor one-quarter inch deep with light soil cover. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Once germinated in seven to 14 days, place them in a sunny window or under grow lights. Harden off the plants before transplanting outside. Hardening off is a gradual acclimation to outdoor conditions.
Transplanting and Care
Remove most of the plant's lower leaves and branches, and dig a small trench in your garden. Lay the plant horizontally except for the plant's very top with leaves, and then cover the trench in soil. The buried stem forms leaf nodes and strengthens the root structure. German pink tomatoes should be planted 2 to 3 feet apart in full sun. Water them twice a week in the early season and reduce watering when fruits begin ripening. Overwatering causes cracking and blossom-end rot.
Support
Indeterminate tomatoes such as the German pink need a support system because they grow 8 to 10 feet. Support them with a cage, stake or trellis. Pinch off small, side shoots that cause crowding in the cage, and remove growth above the cage that shades the rest of the plant. Another support method is putting 7-foot metal stakes 6 feet apart and stretch rebar between them. As the plant grows, weave the tomato through the rebar.
Harvesting and Saving Seeds
Indeterminate tomatoes such as the German pink need a support system because they grow 8 to 10 feet. Support them with a cage, stake or trellis. Pinch off small, side shoots that cause crowding in the cage, and remove growth above the cage that shades the rest of the plant. Another support method is putting 7-foot metal stakes 6 feet apart and stretch rebar between them. As the plant grows, weave the tomato through the rebar.
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