Longkeeper

Longkeepers are a little-known type of storage tomato. They have been developed to be picked unripe at the end of the season, and then stored for weeks or even months in a cool, dry place. In their classic how-to book, Root Cellaring, food storage experts Mike and Nancy Bubel suggest storing tomatoes at 13 to 18 C (55 to 65 F) to keep them on “hold” for a while. A spot in your basement would do or a colder room in your house. On the other hand, the Bubels also suggest you can store tomatoes at room temperature (15 to 21 C / 60 to 70 F)–on your kitchen counter, for instance, but it will speed up the ripening process a bit. Keep it simple, and do whatever works for you. Think of longkeepers as a great way to extend the gardening season. And how fun it will be to eat tomatoes from your garden in December.