No — tomatoes require no cold stratification. They germinate readily at warm temperatures (22–25 °C) with no pre-treatment required. An optional 12–24 hour soak in warm water can speed germination by softening the seed coat, but it is not necessary. Simply sow 5–6 mm deep in moist compost and keep warm.

Most tomato varieties germinate in 5–10 days at 22–25 °C. At cooler temperatures (18–20 °C) germination may take 10–14 days. A heat mat significantly improves speed and uniformity. Very old seeds or poorly stored seeds may take longer or show lower germination rates. All seeds from Oreshka Seeds are fresh-harvested for the current season.

Yes — many of our varieties are specifically bred for cold, short-summer climates. Siberian varieties like Black Prince, Mongolian Dwarf, and Volgograd Pink reliably fruit in Zone 3–4 with just 60–75 days of warm weather. For UK and northern European gardens, choose varieties marked "early season" (under 70 days to harvest) and start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost. Growing in a greenhouse or polytunnel adds 4–6 weeks to your effective season.

Determinate (bush) tomatoes grow to a fixed height (60–120 cm), set all their fruit over 2–3 weeks, then stop. Ideal for canning and preserving because harvest is concentrated. No pinching required. Indeterminate (cordon) tomatoes keep growing and producing all season until frost kills them. They need staking and regular side-shooting (pinching). They produce more total fruit over a longer period, and most heirloom varieties are indeterminate.

Absolutely. Our Mini & Patio collection includes varieties bred specifically for containers — Balcony Miracle, Indoor Gnome, Micro Tom, and Mongolian Dwarf all thrive in pots as small as 15 cm diameter. For larger containers (30–40 cm), you can grow almost any cherry or small determinate variety. Key requirements: minimum 6 hours of direct sun per day, regular watering (containers dry out quickly), and weekly feeding with tomato fertiliser once flowering begins.

Store unused seeds in a cool, dark, dry location. An airtight container in the refrigerator (not freezer) at 3–5 °C is ideal. Keep seeds in their original sealed envelope and place inside a jar with a small silica gel sachet to absorb moisture. Properly stored tomato seeds remain viable for 4–6 years. Always label with the variety name and harvest year. Never store seeds in a warm kitchen or humid bathroom — heat and humidity are the main causes of premature germination loss.