Renee's Garden - Strong-yielding, short, sturdy vines bear heavy crops of beautiful, plump, mahogany red faintly striped tomatoes with a delicious, well-balanced flavor. A perfect variety to grow in containers or small space gardens. Tasmanian chocolate tomatoes are heavy for their size, extra juicy, and perfect for BLTs, sliced for salads, or enjoy in good old-fashioned tomato sandwiches.
Characteristics:
Organic
Heirloom
Good in containers
Mahogany-red tomatoes
Rich, delicious, well-balanced flavor
Instructions - In early spring, start indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 50-55°F. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist but not soggy, and very warm, 80°F. Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, transplant them into individual 4-inch pots. Maintain at 70°F. Feed with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until ready to plant. When nights reach 55°F, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions. Plant these vigorous, early-bearing vines 3 feet apart into rich soil in full sun.
Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of full sun every day. Provide strong stakes or wire cages at planting time as plants get heavy with fruit. Mulch plants well to maintain even moisture. Pick fully ripe. Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge.
To Grow in Containers - Use pots at least 15-18 inches in diameter and 18 inches tall. Use the fresh potting mix to prevent soil-borne disease. Transplant one seedling per pot. Water regularly: in hot weather, pots may need daily watering. Fertilize every other week with a low nitrogen fertilizer for strong plants and good yields.
- Sow seeds indoors from February-March
- 7-14 days to germinate
- Transplant outdoors in full sun from April-June
- Mature height: 2.5-3 feet
- 80-85 days to harvest
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.
