In late March, freshmen from Wiscasset Middle High School seeded 17 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. A month later, a different group of science students transplanted these plants into larger pots. The plants will be sold at the Morris Farm’s annual community plant sale, Saturday May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Biology teacher Ralph Keyes and Merry Fossel from the Morris Farm directed students as they planted the seeds and transplanted the seedlings with the help of volunteers Candace Moyer, Mary and Bill Bausch, and AmeriCorps VISTA Olivia Bertels.

Before the students began to work with the plants, Fossel provided background about heirloom tomatoes. Students learned that heirloom tomatoes are naturally pollinated or self-fertilized plants whose seeds have often been handed down over many generations and that heirloom plants are important to help preserve bio-diversity.

Students worked in small groups to write the names of the varieties on markers, prepare the soil, and sow the seeds about a quarter of an inch into the soil. In April, students moved the growing plants into larger pots.

Around 500 seedlings will be sold at the plant sale. The 17 different varieties consist of slicing, paste, and cherry tomatoes in an array of colors — red, yellow, orange, green, purple, and black. Among the heirlooms are Peacevine Cherry, Black Krim, Jubilee, Opalka Paste, Rose de Berne, and Cosmonaut Volkov.

The plant sale will be at the Morris Farm, 156 Gardiner Road (Rte. 27) in Wiscasset. Along with heirloom tomatoes, a selection of vegetable, herb and flower seedlings, dahlias and hardy Maine perennials will be for sale.

For information, visit morrisfarm.org, email info@morrisfarm.org, or call 882-4080.