{"product_id":"purple-calabash-tomato","title":"Purple Calabash Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeep ridges and ruffles carve this squat, dark burgundy to pink heirloom. The flavor is excellent and complex with hints of citrus tang. In a taste test of 25 varieties at Truelove Seeds this year, Purple Calabash was in the top three! This variety is similar to tomatoes grown before colonization in what is now Mexico. This variety comes from William Woys Weaver, who got his seed stock from Peace Seeds in the early 1990s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 85\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99% on 05\/01\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant into garden well after the danger of frost. We recommend you prune the suckers that form in the crotches of the branches by the main stem. Water tomatoes at the soil level, keeping the leaves dry. Stake tomatoes so that their leaves and branches are kept off the ground, for good airflow between plants, and for easier harvest. Do not overwater this variety as it will crack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTomatoes are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties by 35-50 feet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. Tomato seeds are ripe when the fruits are ready to eat! Cut the fruit at the equator and squeeze or scrape out seeds from each of the cavities. In a cup or bucket, add a little water (1\/2\" is probably plenty) to your seeds and pulp to keep them from drying out, and allow them to ferment away from direct sunlight. Ideally, you will stir the concoction every day for 3-5 days. In the end, add more water to fill the vessel, stir one final time, and allow to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer. Sometimes, you will need to add more water and pour off the floating material several times until the water is clear and you can see the seeds sunken at the bottom. Squeeze dry the strained seeds in a towel, and then lay out to dry on a labeled screen or paper product in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight for a week or two.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meadowhawk Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":3346039177256,"sku":"TOM-008","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/PurpleCalabashTomatoJoRosen.jpg?v=1639763543","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/products\/purple-calabash-tomato","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}