78 days. (Semi-determinate) Fruits become ripe 6-12 weeks after harvest. Some customers report storing Long Keeper 4-6 months. Though the quality doesn't match that of a fresh garden tomato, flavor and texture is superior to most winter supermarket tomatoes. Unblemished tomatoes are harvested before frost and allowed to ripen at room temperature. Store at room temperature so fruits are not touching and check for ripeness and rotting weekly. Used apple boxes with their fruit separators are convenient for this. Fruits are mature for harvest when they have a pale, pink blush. The 4-7 oz. fruits ripen in storage to a satiny, red-orange color. Flesh ripens to medium-red. Best planted in late spring or early summer for fall harvest; we start seeds in early May. Long Keeper is often grown as a supplement to the main crop.