Dave said: "And lastly, just freeze them first whole. Then when thawed, the skins slip right off and the cells have ruptured so most all the water drains right out of the thawed tomatoes. This is by far my preferred method. When the tomatoes are abundant (and so is everything else), it's easy to just stem, wash, remove any questionable spots, and toss into a freezer bag. Later, when it's cooler and other produce has been dealt with, I can remove from freezer, slip the skins under hot tap water and allow to thaw in a colander over a big bowl. You really don't even have to remove the skins if you're putting them through a mill like the Victoria/Roma. I save the "juice" (very thin, watery) for soup stock and either freeze or can it. Then run the toms through a mill. If you still need to cook down, I use a large roasting pan in the oven. At least I can do other things while it reduces and no scorching. I actually cook down at about 275-300. Many times it doesn't need much, but I still do it. It heats the sauce, ready for canning and seems to reduce the amount of separation in the jars. I usually use a combination of different tomatoes for the best flavor. Deanna

congratulations on starting your own seeds! When I plant seeds in one of those black plastic trays, I put a loose plastic over the top. This is usually the liner from a cereal box cut open so its one layer or something like that. That helps keep the moisture in, and I can see the sprouts when they pop up and remove the plastic. It gets a bit drippy but I figure that keeps them watered. Then the sprouts do best under a flourescent light that is 3 - 4" over their tops. If you can get a cool bulb and a warm bulb its best for the plants as its 'full spectrum' then. We rigged up a shop light fixture on a pulley so i can lift it up and down for watering, growing plants, etc. Have fun with your tomatoes. - Jean in Mt

I did not know that the prize pack went missing. When did you send them out Kathy? Sometimes if it is short postage, it takes a while to get back to you. I was short postage on a letter once and I did not get it back for almost a month! So maybe it is just in transit somewhere. how long ago did you send the pack? Did you send out yout tomatoes the same day? I got the mail today already and I did not get anything. Hope it works out! Christy Also, have not heard from these people yet jrw6404 luv daisies tndandelion gallaure strmywthr3 grovespirit douglasls PLEASE!!!!! let me know if you are still in and if your seeds are on their way!!!!! Also, anyone who sent in a lot of packets who does not need as many packets back in return, please let me know! I am trying to make up for all of the multiples I recieved for some varieties. Oh and Becky, yes, when this is all over, I will get together with you and share all the multiples that are too many to go back into the swap. Thanks! Christy

In 2010, I kept a Cherokee Purple alive over winter for the first time ever. It didn't look super robust but it didn't look sickly either, and since it was in an unused spot I decided to let it be. Well, to my surprise, it "woke up" by spring of 2011 and I got quite a few delicious tomatoes from the plant. Still looked kinda spindly, but I was happy. This year I am keeping 4 plants alive, but 3 are cherries and they usually survive anyways. I'm getting enough for salads, and I might keep one till summer. But since cherries pump out so much fruit I might just replant new ones just so I can be sure of getting the usual overload. I would've kept my other toms alive but most succumbed to disease or just plain died. I'd say try it if you don't need the spot for anything else.