Tomato 'Black Plum' (Organic)
An heirloom tomato given to Seed Savers in the USA by Marina Danilenko, which was one of the varieties shared with the Diggers club for our inaugural Tomato taste test in 1993, 'Black Plum' was again grown at our Heronswood trials in 1998 and preserved in our Seed Vault until going into production and proudly becoming available to members in 2022. Sweet and tangy, 'Black Plum' has been an outstanding performer in our trials, bearing an abundant crop of fruit over an extended season, in fact, 'Black Plum' was one of the earliest to fruit in our garden and also one of the last to finish. Highly productive over a long period. Typically fruits 11-12 weeks from transplant. Indeterminate.
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.