Orange Bumble Bee indeterminate 

This variety produces a huge abundance of small oval shaped cherry sized fruit with bright orange
and red stripes. Similar to Pink Bumblebee but this variety begins ripening to yellow then orange
with bright red stripes, very attractive in the garden and on the plate.

Sow Au-Sp in warm north, Sp-Su moderate climates, Spring in cool zones Sow 6mm deep in a sunny
position, ideal soil temp of 18-25 degrees, emerge in 6-12 days, Space 50cm apart Harvest approx
72-80 days after sowing
Recent variety from the "Bumblebee" line, bred by Fred Hempel, Baia Nicchia Farm, with
Artisan Seeds. Cherry-like fruit, 20 to 25 grams, slightly pointed ovoid. Orange-yellow color
with pinkish-red marbling. Juicy flesh, orange also marbled with red, sweet and tangy flavor.
Plant with moderate development, regular foliage, indeterminate growth.

PURPLE BUMBLE BEE TOMATO

nedeterminate
60-70 days. Slightly elongated little cherries with the most outrageous striping in lime green and
bronzy-purple! Crack-resistant fruit is produced all season long on plants that are unfazed by
temperature extremes. Purple Bumble Bee is a new and wonderful cherry variety bred by Fred Hempel of
Baia Nicchia Farm in Sunol, CA. Our Certified organic TomatoFest seeds produce indeterminate plants that
yield very large quantities of 1", round to slightly elongated, dusky-purple/black cherry tomatoes with grey-
green stripes that contain distinctly pronounced, complex, well-balanced, sweet/acid and smoky flavors known
for in the black tomato varieties. Inside contains attractive purple flesh. Productive in cooler growing and
higher altitude conditions. Crack resistant. Disease resistant. A perfect choice for gardeners who want big
yields of delicious cherry tomatoes throughout the season.
Black Sea Man Tomato determinate
(1.2m)
A Russian Heirloom tomato. Tomatofest certified organic tomato seeds produce small determinant, potato-leaf
plants that yield an abundant set of 12-16 ounce beautiful tomatoes that are rich mahogany colored with olive
green shoulders when mature. Inside of tomato is deep, reddish green and loaded  with excellent, full-bodied,
complex, intense, creamy tomato flavors. This is an outstanding tomato for sandwiches and salads. Black Sea
Man heirloom tomato does well growing in mid-sized containers. A great early black tomato. Russian
variety from Russian seedswoman Marina Danilenko. Small plants produce medium-sized
brownish-pink fruits with olive green shading. Well marbled flesh is attractive when
blanched and peeled. Rich flavor. Potato leaf foliage. Determinate, 75 days from transplant.

The fruits of the Black Sea Man Tomato are dark green and burgundy-red, weighing anywhere from 12 to 16
ounces. They are ready for harvesting roughly 75 days after transplanting. Black Sea Man Tomato plants will mature
to a height of about 4 feet tall and will require stakes or supports to hold the vines up.

BLACK CHERRY TOMATO Indeterminate (vine)

75 days. Beautiful black cherries look like large, dusky purple-brown grapes; they have that rich
flavor that makes black tomatoes famous. Large vines yield very well; very unique and delicious.
Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Black Cherry is an extremely ornamental cordon variety of cherry
tomato. Tomatoes have a black-purple skin and dark red flesh, and a wonderful sweet and
juicy flavour. They’re perfect for eating raw in salads, or roasting with other summer
vegetables. Although vigorous growers, plants are suitable for growing in containers as well
as open ground. They’re suitable for cultivating in the greenhouse or patio. Black Cherry
tomato seeds produce hardy, vigorous vines loaded with gorgeous purple to mahogany
brown cherry tomatoes 2.5 cm (1") round. Enjoy prolific yields all season long! Rich,
juicy cherry tomatoes with wonderfully complex, sweet flavour and firm texture. The
little fruits of this variety look exotic and taste irresistibly delicious. A great snacking
tomato, excellent in bruschetta. Black cherry tomato seeds are easy to grow, and
plants are naturally disease resistant. Vines typically grow at least 150 cm (60") and
require caging or staking for support. For best results, allow these cheery tomatoes to
ripen on the vine, and harvest regularly. Fruits are ripe when they turn olive/eggplant
in colour and they pop readily off the stem with a roll of the fingers.Matures in 65
days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Siberian Tomato Determinate .

48 days. Solanum lycopersicum. Open Pollinated. This early maturing plant produces heavy yields of
2 to 5 oz bright red tomatoes. They are sweet and flavorful. Perfect for salads, slicing, and
sandwiches. The plant is capable of setting fruit even at 38 degrees. One of the earliest maturing
varieties on the market takes only 7 weeks when transplanted outdoors. A very popular variety grown
in Alaska. Cold Tolerant. The plant requires support, either staking or cages. An excellent choice for
home gardens. An heirloom variety from Siberia, Russia. A great Russian heirloom variety. A
determinate variety that is both compact, and sturdy. Plant is a regular leaf type
and produces abundant clusters of 2-4oz., bright-red, 40mm (3-5”), oval to round,
juicy fruits. Fantastic flavorful tomatoes, perfect for cooler/shorter growing
regions. Tomatoes mature fast and will produce early where shorter growing
seasons prevail. Great for Canada and Northern United States. 

DE BARAO BLACK Indeterminate.

This compact, heavy-yielding bush produces bright black and purple, plum-type, 3 oz tomatoes. The fruit is meaty
and borne in clusters of 8-10. Flavor is very good whether the fruit is fresh or processed. Indeterminate. This
compact, heavy-yielding bush produces bright black and purple, plum-type, 3 oz tomatoes. The fruit is meaty and
borne in clusters of 8-10.
Flavor is very good whether the fruit is fresh or processed. The fruit sets well in adverse weather conditions and
matures earlier than other plum-types. Type: Plum Fruit Bearing: IndeterminateFruit color: Brown, PurpleDays
To Maturity: ~110 daysFruit Weight: ~3 ounces (~80 g)Spread: SmallHeight: 60 inches (~180 cm) 72 Days. I
grew these out in 2016 and again in 2017. They were consistent and great looking fruits. Honestly, I snacked on
these so much that I totally did not save enough seeds. So 2018 here we come!! De Barao Black tomato is a flavorful
pear type tomato. It’s vines are prolific and relentless. They produce all season long until frost. Tomatoes are mildly
sweet, juicy, rich and a bit earthy. Small purple brown fruit of the plum type of 50 to 100 grams. Bouquets of
3 to 5 fruits.

SEMINTE ROSII - T 620 MARINULYA

Soi roșu timpuriu în formă de inimă, frunze normale, planta crește pana la 1,80 cm.
Productie buna la mijlocul sezonului, varietate productivă, fructe roșii, cântărind 300-400 g, unele
pot fi de până la 1 kg, rotunde. ușor nervurate, cărnoase suculente, dulci.

BABUSHKA BYKA

2m nedeterminata
Russian heirloom variety from Khilenko Family. The name means 'Grandma of a bull'
in Russian.
The seeds were sent to Tatiana's TOMATObase Seeds in 2014 by Aleksey Kulik,
Ukraine 15, who received them from Natalia Khilenko of Armavir, Russia. Mrs.
Khilenko and her family have been growing many native Russian heirlooms for many
years, and she shared seeds from her seed collection with Aleksey Kulik, a Ukrainian
seed vendor.
Introduced commercially by Tatiana's TOMATObase Seeds in 2016. Soi vechi din Rusia
transmis de familia Khilenko, specialist în colectarea soiurilor ruse autohtone. Traducerea sa este
„bunica taurului”. Fructe roz de la 250 la 350 gr, în formă de inimă contondentă. Pulpa foarte densă,
cărnoasă și suculentă, cu puține semințe. Aroma excelentă
MONEYMAKER TOMATOES
indeterminate
MoneyMaker dates back over 100 years, to 1913. Over the last 80 years it has probably
been the most popular tomato grown in the UK although its popularity is slightly less
nowadays. The key virtue of this variety is reliability even when soil and weather
conditions are not ideal. It also has good disease resistance.
Taste is average rather than good, although the amount of tomatoes produced will
pleasantly surprise most gardeners.
MoneyMaker is grown as a cordon type tomato and produces the best tomatoes when grown
that way. However if left to its own devices without any pruning, it will still produce lots of fruits
but slightly smaller and later in the season.
The fruits are bright red, sweet lasting but slightly lacking the deep tomato flavour of
some varieties. The skins are average thickness neither thin nor particularly thick.
For all the tomato varieties which we have fully reviewed, click the drop down box
below, select a variety and then click the More Information Button.
ROWTH TYPE: Cordon, vigorous grower

WHERE TO GROW: Outdoors. It can also be grown in a greenhouse.

USE: Salads, and by itself

SKIN COLOUR / TEXTURE: Deep red, medium thin skin

FLESH COLOUR: Red

TASTE AND TEXTURE: Moderately sweet, normal texture

STORAGE: Excellent ripening ability on a window sill

TOMATO SIZE: Average, about the size of a billiard ball

REGULARITY OF CROPPING: Regularly produces a good yield even in poorer conditions

 ‘Matina’ tomato variety
Indeterminate/Potato Leaf. 65-70 days.
‘Matina’ plants grow vigorously and can reach up to two metres tall, with leaves that
resemble that of a potato. The fruits grow to about five centimetres in diameter and
weigh up to 70 grams. This variety is early-ripening, with the first bright red fruits ready
for harvest as early as mid-July. When ripe, ‘Matina’ tomatoes become soft, and their
skins becomes tender and thin. ‘Matina’ tomatoes taste fruity and juicy, and have a
pleasant balance of sweet and sour. ‘Matina’ is an all-round tomato variety. It is easy to
care for, robust and disease tolerant, which means you can grow it outdoors, in pots or
in the greenhouse. Either way, it produces abundant and delicious yields. Unusually,
‘Matina’ tomatoes even tolerate a few days of rain without their thin skins bursting
open.If you intend to plant your ‘Matina’ tomatoes outdoors, wait until mid-May at the
earliest. You will need to harden off your tomato plants for the first 1 to 2 weeks,
before they are left outside long-term. Then, dig a deep hole in your bed and place in
your young ‘Matina’ plant. Mix a natural, slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura
Tomato Food, with your soil to ensure a good supply of nutrients, and cover the plant.
Water well, and the nutrients will release slowly and evenly for about two months. After
these first two months, the plant will need another dose of fertilisation. We don’t want to
make crazy, bold proclamations after so short a time of getting to know a new variety
(which, as you can tell from the intro, means we are going to anyway) but Matina might
be our best all-around slicing tomato. It’s nice to be a small family company where we
can write something like that and not break down into staff fistfights. It just checks all the
boxes for us and exceptionally so: sets very early but with sustained harvests through
fall, strong vigorous growth, beautifully organized and prolific trussing, perfect blemish-
free and very uniform fruit, and a great flavor balance of sweet and acid. I reckon we
harvested about 400+lbs of fruit from 30 field-grown plants in the summer of 2016! At 4-
6 oz, the fruits are a little larger than Stupice, slightly flattened, and just the flawless
ideal of a tomato in appearance. One of Carolyn Male's “100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the
American Garden” it hails from Germany, where our seed was originally sourced. This
should be a nursery standard in the PNW.

Dark Orange Muscat (Organic)

indeterminate
Solanum lycopersicum.  Orange Cherry. 65-75 days. Indet.
Tall vines produce unique, dark orange cherry tomatoes with bronze shoulders and
some green inside. Sweet, fruity flavor. Very productive. Medium sized fruit fills
pints quickly. This variety has traveled across the pond at least twice: Madeline
McKeever of Brown Envelope Seeds in Ireland received this seed from a seed saver
in Washington State while at an Organic Seed Alliance conference; and while we
were in Ireland, we picked it up from her and brought it back to the Pacific
Northwest. Tall, extra early, high-yielding variety, fruits are round, orange in color, with a
transparent effect like gooseberries, weighing 10-25 grams, bright, rich taste, very juicy and
sweet pulp, with a rich fruity aroma.

42 Days Tomato

Determinate 91 - 152cm)Width: 36"
(91cm)
Common Name: Heirloom, Small-Fruited Hardiness Degree: 32°F (0.0°C)Plant
Habit: UprightWater: MediumFertilize: Once a monthHeight: 36 - 60" (General
Information: Small, red tomatoes ripen incredibly early on compact plants.The sweetly flavored
fruits are mostly round, a few with pointed ends.Named for its super-fast maturity period, this
early and productive variety is ideal for northern, short season areas and for container
gardening.Idea & Tips: Water thoroughly twice per week and try to water early in the day so
that plants will dry off before evening.
Tomatoes prefer regular feeding once the fruit sets, but too much early in the season will grow a
large plant with fewer tomatoes.
Mulching helps ensure an even supply of moisture.Grower Information: Days to harvest: 40-
50
Small, 1 to 4-oz. (28 to 113-g), red tomatoes ripen incredibly early on the compact plants. The
sweetly flavored fruits are mostly round, a few with pointed ends. Named for its superfast
maturity, this productive variety is ideal for northern, short-season areas and for container
gardening.Fruit Size: 1-4 oz. (28-113 g)Growth:  Disease Tolerance: V, F, N, FCRR, TMV, PL
 Anna Russian Tomato 87
days, indeterminate 
An heirloom oxheart variety sent to Craig LeHoullier in 1989 from Brenda Hillenius, of Oregon, who got the
seeds from her grandfather, Kenneth Wilcox, who received seeds from a Russian immigrant. Craig LeHoullier
introduced it to the SSE Yearbook in 1989.
An excellent, gorgeous tomato. Early maturing for a heart-shaped tomato, the large, visually beautiful, pink-
red fruit normally weighs about 14-16 oz. Superb rich old-fashioned, tomato flavors with lots of juice. — As
with many oxheart-type varieties, the plants are rather scrawny and unimpressive. 'Anna
Russian' has regular leaves and is quite productive. The oxheart-shaped fruits are medium in
size measuring three to 3½ inches in diameter, average three to eight ounces in weight, and are
pink in color often with light green shoulders. The flavor is excellent and complex leaning to
the sweet side of the spectrum with a good, meaty yet juicy, texture making them great for
sauces and canning.

'Anna Russian' is an heirloom that found its way into the commercial seed trade in a now
common and roundabout way. In 1989, our friend, author and tomato authority  Craig
LeHoullier,  received an envelope in the mail from Brenda Hillenius of Corvallis, Oregon. Ms.
Hillenius' grandfather, Kenneth Wilcox, received seeds years prior from a Russian immigrant to
the area. Craig grew it out and was so impressed, he listed it in the 1990 Seed Savers Exchange
Yearbook. We originally received seeds from a seed saver in Vancouver, Washington in 2003.

Tomato Black Russian

Black Russian tomatoes are dark, deep red to shiny black fruit with heavy green shoulders,
looking almost like a conker. The flesh is deep reddish-green and has an unusual rich but
sweet taste which has to be tasted to be believed. It is an early maturing indeterminate vine
type best suited for indoor production. This tomato really does suit its mysterious name!

Black Russian tomatoes do indeed originate from Russia but nothing more is known
about their parentage.This variety is commonly grown in greenhouses but often sold by
seed merchants also as an outdoor variety. In areas of the UK which are not subject to
very cold weather they will produce a reasonable crop outside but the more protected
and warmer the position the better.
Black Russian is grown as a cordon type tomato and produces the best tomatoes when
grown that way. However if left to its own devices without any pruning it will still
produce fruits but slightly smaller and later in the season. Black Russian however really
does need to be pruned correctly to get a decent crop. Sometimes you will see larger
than normal and slightly misshapen blossoms on this variety. Our experience has taught
us to remove those because the fruits produced from them are also misshapen The
fruits are far darker compared to your average tomato and the skin colour is best
described as mahogany. Fruit size is variable but individual tomatoes as heavy as 300g
can be expected among other smaller ones. Each plant should produce around 3kg to
4kg of tomatoes. The shape is not regular (overall it can be described as slightly
flattened) and you can expect the odd bulge here and there but this just gives the
tomatoes character and certainly does not affect their taste. The plants are vigorous
growers and need to be pruned regularly to keep them within bounds.The taste and
texture are typical of similar black skinned tomatoes. The orange coloured flesh is very
meaty with less juice than many red varieties, good for slicing. Flavour is difficult to
describe but most people find it very pleasant. Sweetness with a background of acidity
mixed in with a slight smoky flavour. Personally we love it. Black Russian does seem to
have variable flavour, taking on some of the characteristics of the soil in which it is
grown. Certainly, friends and neighbours will all want to try at least one, I can promise
that!
Vintage Wine indeterminate . Stake to 1.8 m.
Vintage Wine tomatoes are quite large, each fruit averaging just over one pound, and they have
an attractive pastel pink coloration with golden-green stripes. Their skin is quite thin, and their
squat round shape has an occasional rib that deepens towards the stem-end. The fleshy interior
is dense with narrow seed pockets and few seeds, and it offers a pronounced, meaty, sweet
flavor with a particular tanginess. The indeterminate, or vining plants produce abundant crops
and can average six feet in height with potato-leaved foliage, leaves that lack the lobes or
notches seen on regular leaf tomatoes
Vintage Wine tomatoes are available in the summer and fall.
The Vintage Wine tomato is a rare heirloom variety of Solanum lycopersicum, and is a member
of the nightshade family alongside the potato and eggplant. Like all heirlooms, Vintage Wine is
an open-pollinated cultivar and its saved seed will grow true to type. Vintage Wine tomatoes
reportedly hold their quality well off the vine, better than other heirloom varieties
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and folic acid, and they are also a great
source of fiber, carbohydrate, potassium and iron. They contain a wide array of beneficial
nutrients and antioxidants, including, of course, lycopene. Lycopene is the antioxidant that gives
tomatoes their rich red color, and it has been linked with cancer prevention in several studies.
Tomatoes account for eighty percent of lycopene consumption.
The elegant, sweet and mild flavor of Vintage Wine tomatoes compliments most dishes. Enjoy
ripe tomatoes by eating them fresh in salads and sandwiches, or try grilling and layering atop
burgers, or stuffing with cheese and herbs then roasting them. Tomatoes are especially delicious
when paired with Italian flavors like oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and fresh
mozzarella cheese, but can also be enjoyed alongside parmesan cheese, bacon, mushrooms,
avocado, crusty breads, strawberries, chickpeas, eggs, fennel, parsley, pepper, and
Worcestershire sauce. Store tomatoes away from direct sunlight at room temperature until fully
ripe, after which refrigeration can prevent further ripening and slow the process of decay
Although they were grown throughout pre-Civil War America, and several Native American tribes
and the Creoles of New Orleans had already had a long history of their use, tomatoes were
actually considered to be poisonous by most Americans until the mid 1800’s. This perhaps was
because tomatoes are in the Solanaceae family alongside deadly nightshades and other
poisonous plants. Today tomatoes are the most widely grown fruit in home gardens, and they
are second only to potatoes in consumption of fruits and vegetables in the United States.
The Vintage Wine tomato was derived from one of the lines of Tom Wagner's Brandy Stripe
tomato, and was renamed and introduced in 1998 by K. Sahin, Zaden B.V. of the Netherlands.
Tomatoes are not hardy and they need warm weather in order to grow, hence it is important that
they be planted after the final frost. Vintage Wine tomatoes have been said to do well in USDA
Hardiness Zones 3-11.
Rich flavourful beefsteak with eye-catching orange and gold striped pink skin. Unlike other
striped tomatoes, there are no stripes in the flesh. Fruit grow from 500g to 1 kg and are tart and
very juicy.
Matures 80 days from transplant.
 shokoladova chushka

Soiul de rosii Ardei ciocolatiu Chocolate in forma de ardei capia este un soi

mediu-timpuriu in forma atractiva si culoare exotica de ciocolata, cu
greutatea de 160 -250 g, fructe tari, extrem de gustoase si parfumate

Rambling Red Stripe Tomato

Indeterminate This variety will produce some of the most interesting looking fruits you have
ever seen! The plant has a trailing habit that is ideal for growing in hanging baskets or
containers, which allows gardeners with limited space to produce their own fresh
Tomatoes. The green-striped fruit is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and
lycopene, which all help to stimulate your body’s immune system. Serve the fresh-picked
tomatoes on a veggie tray with dip, or add them to salads.Can be eaten fresh off the vine or
used in salads and cooking. Excellent for flavoring a variety of dishes. Preserve by canning,
drying, or freezing. Wash fruits, vegetables and herbs thoroughly before eating.

Rambling Red Stripe Tomato is a vigorous trailing plants bear very eye catching striped
tomatoes. Cascades up to 2 ft or more in a baskets and containers and will mature in about 60 to
68 days fruits are 1 to 2 ounces. This is of the Determinate bush variety the blossoms and fruit
develop on the vine at the same time. The harvest time is short 7 to 10 days plants seldom need
staking best when caged if not in a basket. eneral Information: Vigorous trailing plants bear
very eye-catching striped tomatoes. Cascades up to 2 ft. (60 cm) in baskets and
containers. 62-68 days to maturity; 1-1.5 oz. (28-42 g). Determinate (bush type).
Blossoms and fruit develop on the vine at the same time. The harvest time is short – 7
to 10 days. Plants are self-topping and seldom need staking; best when caged.
Grower Information:
Vigorous trailing plants bear very eye-catching striped tomatoes. Cascades up to 2 ft.
(60 cm) in baskets and containers. 62-68 days to maturity; 1-1.5 oz. (28-42 g).
Determinate (bush type). Blossoms and fruit develop on the vine at the same time. The
harvest time is short – 7 to 10 days. Plants are self-topping and seldom need staking;
best when caged.

Sunrise Bumble Bee Organic

Sunrise Bumble Bee Organic tomato seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Along with
Pink and Purple Bumble Bee tomatoes, Sunrise has orange skins that are streaked with
bright gold. They are strikingly beautiful, but also boast tremendous sweet
flavour. Read More
Matures in 70 days
Sunrise Bumblebee is a true-breeding cherry tomato we bred on our farm. It is a yellow cherry
tomato with pink marbling and yellow stripes. Sunrise Bumblebe's flavor is bright, sweet and
tropical. It is an indeterminate vine and grows well in containers and in the ground.

Tomato 'Sunrise Bumble Bee' (Organic)

Sunrise Bumble Bee and its relatives from the 'Artisan Tomato' stables are the next big thing in open-
pollinated tomatoes. Through our connections with the seed merchants, Diggers is the first to release
these 'heirlooms of the future' here in Australia. Holding well on the vine, these are summer jewels of
sweetness best enjoyed straight from the bush. As sweet as Tommy Toe and even more striking than
Tigerella this tomato is a must for the vegie garden this summer.
How to grow
Tomatoes are a warm season crop requiring temperatures of 15-29 degrees Celsius to grow and
germinate successfully. Seed germinates best at 20-25 degrees Celsius, while the seedlings thrive
from 15 degrees Celsius. Sow seed 6-8 weeks before you want to plant out your tomatoes. Sow in
punnets or trays and maintain consistent moisture and temperature. Prick out and place in individual
pots once true leaves appear and harden off at least one to two weeks before planting out. Plant
tomato seedlings out when soil temperature reaches 15°C or more, and after risk of frost has passed.
Plant in full sun and enrich the soil with compost and well-rotted manure. In pots, use a premium
organic potting mix. Mulch and water regularly, especially during hot weather. Stake at planting and
train to the stake as plants grow. Avoid overhead watering.

jaune de Thoune Tomato 

heirloom variety from Switzerland with a delicious “ancient tomato” flavor.
The indeterminate plant is very rustic, bears low temperatures well, and is
precocious.
The yellow, round fruits reach 50 gm, and are very regular in weight and
shape.
It is particularly suitable for mountain cultivation or for difficult climates.
Tomate moyenne orange très productive durant toute la saison.
Tomate assez sucrée se prêtant bien en coulis ou en sauce où la saveur est exaltée.
Variété assez précoce, vigoureuse et assez résistante face aux aléas
environnementaux. Adaptée au climat difficile de montagne. 

Black From Tula is one of the largest black tomatoes at 4 to 5" in

diameter and weighing up to 12 ounces. The flattened fruit has a rich, salty, smoky
flavor. This rare Russian heirloom sets fruit in hot weather. This is an example of the
timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

EasyGrown asAnnualDays to Maturity65-85

(Spring/Summer)Growing
HabitIndeterminateHardinessTenderCropsSpring Transplant,
SummerGrowing SeasonShort, LongCultivar TypeMid-
 SeasonGrowing ConditionsWarm, HotOutdoor Growing
Temp50°F - 95°FMin Outdoor Soil Temp60°FStart
IndoorsYesStart OutdoorsYesLightSun: min. 6 hours daily
(Cool, Warm,
Hot)WaterModerateeederHeavySuitabilityDrought tolerant,
High heatSmall Gardens?YesContainers?Yes, but will need a
large one, like a half wine barrelAttracts beneficial insects?
NoColorRedFruit Size4.0 - 5.0"Plant Height60.0 - 84.0"Plant
Diameter24.0 - 36.0"Hardiness Zone3-11Disease
ResistanceTaste ProfileRich, salty, and smoky flavor.Rotation
GroupFruits: Solanaceae + Cucurbits 70-80 days. Savvy seed
savers and heirloom connoisseurs regard this as one of the best-
tasting tomatoes. This 8-12 oz slicer has smoky, complex flavor and
dark chocolate colored flesh. Believed to have originated from a
Ukrainian family heirloom, it is very well adapted and reliable to a
wide range of conditions.
85 days, indeterminate  — The plants of 'Black from Tula' tomatoes have heavy, dense,
regular leaf foliage that protect its fruit from sun scald, but at the same time, can
potentially contribute to disease issues. Be sure to give them a lot of space and keep
them staked up to promote better air circulation and you will be rewarded with
amazingly flavorful fruit.

Its fruit are brownish-red in color, flattened-globe shaped, weighing up to twenty

ounces, and deliver flavors that have been described as sweet and rich to salty and
smokey, depending on the climate and growing conditions in the particular location.
Excellent for slicing for fresh eating, as well as for canning.

According to Dr. Carolyn Male on pages 62 and 63 of her book, "100 Heirloom
Tomatoes for the American Garden ," 'Black From Tula' originated in the Ukraine.  We
[ 1]

still do not know the full story about why an heirloom tomato from the Ukraine is named
after an industrial town in Russia. What we do know that it was first introduced to
American seed savers in 1996 by Marina Danilenko, a pioneering private seed seller
from Moscow (see below) during the Perestroika-era.  'Black From Tula' is in the SSE
[ 2]

collection a SSE Tomato 2911. Each packet contains approximately 20 seeds.

Marina Danilenko and her mother – who was a tomato collector – started the first
private seed company in Moscow and a similar company in their home city in the
Urals in 1990. Prior to this, all vegetable seeds in the former Soviet Union had
been produced by a network of collective farms and sold in seven government
operated seed stores in Moscow, as well as in similar stores in cities throughout the
former Soviet Union.
 Marina and her mother began by buying seeds from this network and then paying
retirees to fill her seed packets. She began advertising her company in newspapers
and magazines, gardeners would send her their names and addresses, then a price
list was sent for people to use to place orders. The business exploded! Within the
first couple of years, they were mailing price lists to about 80,000 Russian
gardeners and selling about 500,000 seed packets via mail-order. In this recently
post-Soviet society, the postal service was corrupt, she incurred considerable loss,
but she pushed on.

In 1992, Marina reached out to the Moscow branch of the famous Vavilov Institute
to grow out some of her vegetable seed stock. She described that, "... the staff is
highly professional, their seeds are finest quality, and the Institute certainly needs
the money."

It was at about this time that the Seed Savers Exchange sponsored her to come to
the United States for visits two years in a row. Here she was able to learn how
American mail order seed companies operated, which was critically important
considering that the Russian people at that time had no context or informational
resources on how to successfully operate a business in a post-communist economy.

By 1993, Marina had supplied at least 170 different Russian tomato varieties into
the Seed Savers Exchange's collection. Included in these were some of the first
black fruited tomatoes such as 'Paul Robeson ' and 'Black from Tula ', as well as
other popular varieties such as 'Orange Banana ' and 'Silvery Fir Tree '.
[ 3]

Black Prince Heirloom Tomato

Heirloom. Admittedly, it is difficult to imagine growing tomatoes in Siberia, but this
delicious heirloom hails from that very region. This is a fairly early tomato, and one
that is more apt to set fruit in cool climates. The small, dark-red, slightly pear-
shaped fruits begin maturing a little more than 2 months after planting, no matter
where you live. Black Prince has been a very productive heirloom in our test
garden, yielding from 25 to 40 pounds of tomatoes per plant over a 3-month
harvest season. The flavor is worthy of a chef's table! Vigorous vines grow best in
tall cages.
Originally introduced from Irkutsk, Siberia Russia, Black Prince is one of the most popular
and sought after black heirloom tomatoes. It is regarded as a true northern variety and has
excellent growing qualities suited for cooler climates. This medium sized tomato is said to
have considerable health benefits beyond the presence of lycopene.
The 2-1/2 – 3 inch (6 -8 cm) diameter fruits are 2 – 4 ounces (56 – 113 gr) and ripen to
beautiful deep garnet red with some dark chocolate brown and black. These smooth, round
tomatoes are juicy and have a rich flavour that makes them score well in taste tests. It
should be harvested when its upper half has turned dark but still shows traces of green. The
crop is early and prolific. This heirloom is suited for patio gardens. Black Prince has a deep
and sweet flavour that is unbeatable for eating fresh or used in cooking.

Maturity 70 days

Height 48" plus (122 cm plus); staking required.

Spacing 24 - 36” (61 - 91 cm)

Light Full Sun

Soil Organic, well draining.

pH Range 6.2 - 6.8

Watering Moderate to high during growth, low during harvest.

Fertilizing Balanced fertilizer at time of planting.

Nutrients Required Nitrogen = high, Phosphorus = high, Potassium = high

The Siberian variety ‘Black Prince’ is well adapted to cool temperatures [Photo: Anastasiia
Malinich / Shutterstock.com]
The dark fleshed ‘Black Prince’ tomato originates from Siberia, so it is particularly well
adapted to cool climates. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the
‘Black Prince’ tomato, including its taste, cultivation and use.
The ‘Black Prince’ heirloom tomato variety comes from Irkutsk in the south of
Siberia. It is thought to have originated there in the middle of the 20th century
as a variety for hobby gardeners. However, its hardiness and delicious flavour
helped it gain popularity throughout the country, before it moved across
national borders to the USA, Europe and the area around Kazakhstan.
‘Black Prince’ tomato plants grow just 160 centimetres tall. However, what
they lack in height, they make up for in width. With many side shoots, this
plant produces flat to round, slightly ribbed fruits, which ripen in clusters from
mid-August. The tomatoes tend to vary in size, with some fruits weighing up to
400 grams. However, all share the same dark red flesh, which is olive-green
to brown around the stem, even when the tomato is ripe. The flesh is juicy and
soft, and the taste is fruity and aromatic. Fortunately, because ‘Black Prince’ is
an heirloom variety, you can save its tomato seeds, and cultivate the best-
looking fruits next season.
The Siberian ‘Black Prince’ is tolerant to the cold and robust, which makes it ideal for
higher altitudes and colder climates. In fact, ‘Black Prince’ can produce a good yield
even in cool summers. However, the tomato’s thin skin tends to burst easily, so be sure
to keep the plant dry. A greenhouse or outdoors under a roof are ideal locations.
Alternatively, you can cultivate ‘Black Prince’ in a pot on a balcony or terrace. Here,
‘Black Prince’ tends to produce a fine yield. However, you will need to start growing your
‘Black Prince’ in a greenhouse from the beginning of May, before moving it outdoors
from mid-May. Despite it being a cold-tolerant variety, it is a good idea to harden off
your tomato plants for 1 to 2 weeks before planting them outdoors.
If you intend to grow your ‘Black Prince’ in a pot, use the largest container you can, and
fill it with a pre-fertilised compost, like our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable
Compost. This is a peat-free, environmentally friendly compost, with a loose
consistency that is ideal for tomato plants. It contains essential nutrients that will give
the young plants an early growth spurt. After planting your ‘Black Prince’ tomato plant,
water it generously and support it with a metal or wooden stick.
From June onwards, the side shoots of ‘Black Prince’ grow vigorously. To harvest early
ripening fruits (without compromising on yield!), leave just two to three shoots on the
plant. Prune the tomatoes regularly to remove all excess side shoots and fertilise the
plant for the first time in June, when the fruits start to grow.
It is at this point, that the plant will need the most nutrients, especially potassium. A
slow-release fertiliser, like Plantura Tomato Food, is ideal. Unlike mineral fertilisers,
this plant-based granular fertiliser is gentle on soil life and decomposes slowly over a
period of two months, releasing nutrients gently and evenly into the soil. You need only
top up the soil with fertiliser once more per year, and ‘Black Prince’ will have enough
nutrients for the rest of the seasson.

Tomato Noire De Crimee

Russian origin. Flattened fruit with almost black shoulders when ripe. Smashing flavour.
Cordon. 69-90 days from transplanting.
Tomato "Noire de Crimee"
Early tall (indeterminant) variety yielding fruits of about 150-170 g. The variety is appreciated for
very tasty fruits of unusual colour.  Seeds are sown in March. For the seeds to germinate quickly
and uniformly, the seeding is covered by glass or film. The temperature of substrate for sowing
must be not less than + 21+26°C, room temperature should be not less than +23°C. When the
plants develop 2-4 true leaves, they are transplanted one by one. Seedlings are planted in the
greenhouse, when frost is no longer a threat. Tomatoes are not demanding of soil, but grow
best in loam.  0.1 g contains about 20-30 seeds. 0.1 g of seeds will be sufficient to cover the area
of 6-8 m2 - high yield, 35 - 50 kg, is expected under favourable growth conditions. Early tall
(indeterminant) variety yielding fruits of about 150-170 g. The variety is appreciated for very
tasty fruits of unusual colour.  Seeds are sown in March. For the seeds to germinate quickly and
uniformly, the seeding is covered by glass or film. The temperature of substrate for sowing
must be not less than + 21+26°C, room temperature should be not less than +23°C. When the
plants develop 2-4 true leaves, they are transplanted one by one. Seedlings are planted in the
greenhouse, when frost is no longer a threat. Tomatoes are not demanding of soil, but grow
best in loam.  0.1 g contains about 20-30 seeds. 0.1 g of seeds will be sufficient to cover the area
of 6-8 m2 - high yield, 35 - 50 kg, is expected under favourable growth conditions . 75-80 Days.
Noire de Crimee tomato is a black slicer that has excellent taste. 5 foot tall vines are prolific and produce 5-10 ounce
fruits that ripen to a beautiful chocolate, right in the middle of the season. Fruits are earthy, rich, juicy on the sweet
side and delicious. I highly recommend this tomato if you want to try anew black variety.