{"product_id":"tomato-seeds-heirloom-mix","title":"Tomato Seeds - Heirloom Mix","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow a colourful, productive vegetable garden with a delicious mix of heirloom tomatoes. This carefully selected blend includes a range of cherry, salad and slicing tomatoes in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and flavours—perfect for home gardeners who love variety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e roughly 20 mixed heirloom tomato seeds per packet. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeason:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sow from late Winter indoors or in a greenhouse, or in Spring once the risk of frost has passed. Seedlings can be planted outdoors once overnight temperatures remain above 10°C. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSow depth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e roughly 5mm below the surface. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Solanaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Annual\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to grow heirloom tomatoes from seed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeeds are best started indoors in seed raising trays or small pots before being transplanted into larger containers, raised garden beds or directly into the garden once the weather has warmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey grow beautifully in our upcycled seedling plug trays. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomatoes thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Taller varieties will need stakes, cages or trellises for support as they grow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to sow tomato seeds \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSow seeds approximately 5mm deep into moist seed raising mix. Growing Healthier Futures seed raising mix is perfect for sowing tomato seeds. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlace seed trays in a warm position between 20–25°C for the fastest germination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeeds usually germinate within 7–14 days under warm conditions. Cooler temperatures will slow germination but seeds may still emerge with patience. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeedlings will need access to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day as soon as they have emerged from the soil. Preventing access to sunlight will result in leggy (tall, stretchy and weak) seedlings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, transplant them into larger pots with quality potting mix or compost-rich soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen planting into the garden, space plants roughly 50–70cm apart to provide good airflow and reduce the risk of disease.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed regularly with compost, worm castings or a quality liquid fertiliser such as diluted worm tea or Growing Healthier Futures liquid plant food throughout the growing season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomato soil and sun requirements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomatoes perform best in full sun with fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore planting, improve heavy or poor soils by mixing through generous amounts of compost and other organic fertilisers like well rotted manure, worm castings and blood and bone. Some fertilisers like manure can be too strong for delicate seedlings, so add to the soil at least a couple of weeks before you're ready to plant your seedlings.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomato seedlings will do best outside if they've been \"hardened off\", or gradually exposed to the outdoor conditions. You can do this by moving seedlings outside for a few hours a day before you transplant them, increasing the amount of time they spend outside each day. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomato plants can grow new roots from their stems, so plant roots and stems deeply for maximum strength. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApply mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weed growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsistent watering is important, especially once plants begin flowering and producing fruit. Avoid allowing the soil to repeatedly dry out and become saturated, as this can contribute to fruit splitting and blossom end rot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater the roots (ie the soil), not the plants. Tomato leaves are more prone to fungal diseases if they're frequently exposed to water. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Spot is one of the most common fungal diseases in tomato plants, keep a close eye on your plants and at the first sign of black spots on your leaves, remove the affected leaves immediately and wash hands after touching to avoid spreading the black spot to other plants. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen do heirloom tomatoes produce fruit?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith adequate warmth, sunlight, nutrients and water, most heirloom tomato varieties begin producing fruit around 10–14 weeks after sowing, depending on the variety and growing conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCherry tomatoes generally mature earlier than larger slicing varieties, so this mixed packet provides a longer harvest period throughout Summer and into Autumn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to save tomato seeds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose fully ripe (or overripe), healthy tomatoes from your favourite plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScoop the seeds and surrounding gel from the tomato and spread out finely onto a paper towel. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllow the paper towel, seed and gel to dry completely, waiting at least a week. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStore dried seeds in a labelled airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place until you're ready to sow them next season. They do not need to be removed from the paper towel, you can plant them with paper towel still attached and it will biodegrade. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Growing Healthier Futures","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45874716868678,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/7038\/8550\/files\/Heirloomtomatomixedseedsgrowinghealthierfuturesaustralianchristiecooper.png?v=1784686272","url":"https:\/\/growinghealthierfutures.com.au\/products\/tomato-seeds-heirloom-mix","provider":"Growing Healthier Futures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}