Tomato Seeds - Federle
85 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Federle Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate, paste tomato. Also known as Federle’s Italian Paste tomato. Plant produces 7-inch-long red paste tomatoes. This variety is excellent for salsa. The fruit is rich and flavorful, with very few seeds. ~10,000 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Federle Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden
Begin seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your estimated final spring frost date. Use a well-draining potting or seed-starting mix to start the seeds. Plant two seeds per cell 0.25 inches deep. Using a heat mat can improve germination rates and speed. Water with something gentle, such as a mister or spray bottle. The soil should stay moist during germination, but not soggy. Water regularly or use a clear plastic dome to increase humidity and moisture. As soon as the first seedling emerges, ensure the tray receives full sun, either in a sunny windowsill or with grow lights a few inches above the tray. Remove the humidity dome to increase air circulation once the seedlings grow. Thin the seedlings to one per cell when they have reached two inches tall. Fertilize once they have two sets of true leaves. Transplant the seedlings into larger pots if necessary.
Before transplanting into your garden, the seedlings should be hardened off gradually to acclimate to outdoor conditions where they will experience changing temperatures and wind. Transplant the seedlings into the garden once the danger of frost has passed. Bury the stems a few inches deep to encourage more root development along the stem. Fertilize with compost or other granular fertilizer when planting into the garden. Use a sturdy structure like a tomato cage to support the growing plant. Prune periodically throughout the season to remove suckers and bottom leaves.
Harvesting Federle Tomatoes
Tomatoes are ready to harvest when fully red. Gently twist the fruit off the stem or prune off a cluster. Federle is an indeterminate variety and will have fruit ready to harvest at various times throughout the season. The harvest can last 2-4 months, depending on the growing zone. Harvest the red tomatoes promptly to encourage more fruit to set on and ripen.
About Federle Tomato Garden Seeds
Federle tomatoes are known for their elongated paste tomato shape and few seeds. This makes them ideal for canning and processing into sauces, pastes, and salsa.
This Italian heirloom was introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants, but was largely made popular in the 1990’s.
Some helpful products for growing tomatoes are our seed starting trays, humidity domes, coco coir minute soil, Boost MaxPro Grow Lights, and worm castings.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"While fertilizing when transplanting is recommended, avoid applying too much nitrogen fertilizer later in the season. This can lead to an overproduction of foliage rather than fruit."
 |
- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Federle Tomato Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg packet - Approximately 350 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Approximately 2,500 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 10,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 40,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 160,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Federle Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Solanum lycopersicum (Previously Lycopersicon esculentum) |
| Tomato Type: | Paste - These are oblong and often called Roma-type tomatoes. They have a lower water content. While they can be used in the same ways as slicing and salad tomatoes, they are most commonly used for canning and making tomato sauce or paste. |
| Federle Tomato Color: | Red |
| Federle Tomato Flavor: | Rich, full-flavor. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual: Not intended to overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 85 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 36-60 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Indeterminate - Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-type plants that sprawl (requiring a cage or trellis to support them) and continue to grow throughout the season. Indeterminate tomato plants will continue to produce tomatoes for the rest of the season, so you can harvest continually. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. |
| Plant Width: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready to harvest from 81 days or more from transplant. Difficult, if not impossible, to get a tomato by the 4th of July with these varieties. They are good late-summer to early-fall producers for most USDA Zones. |
| Germination Temperature: | 65-85 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Common pests known to harm tomato plants, in general, include the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, flea beetles, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies. Also, watch for common diseases such as blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Most of these can be prevented by maintaining a regular watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. Regularly check your plants for pest damage throughout the season. For treating pest and disease problems, we recommend using an organic neem-based product. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Tomato Use: | Fresh eating, salsa, stews, soups, etc. |