How to Grow Almost Black Tomato
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Almost Black Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Almost Black'
vegetableAlmost Black is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety known for its deep burgundy-black coloring and rich, complex flavor. The fruits are large, typically 8-12 oz, with a slightly flattened globe shape and meaty texture. This dramatic cultivar combines stunning visual appeal with excellent taste, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking unusual varieties.
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Example Almost Black Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Almost Black Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Almost Black Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Almost Black Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate and pale green.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours) under grow lights. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 70-75°F temperature.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop multiple sets of true leaves and sturdy stems. Foliage is dark green. Roots establish deeply.
Maintain adequate light and warmth. Begin hardening off seedlings 1-2 weeks before transplanting. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows taller.
Flowering
4-6 weeksYellow star-shaped flower clusters appear in leaf axils. Plants are indeterminate, continuing to grow and flower throughout season.
Provide consistent watering and balanced fertilizer (lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus-potassium). Ensure pollination through air circulation or hand-pollinating. Support growing plant with sturdy stakes or cages.
Fruit Development & Maturation
5-7 weeksSmall green fruits develop and gradually enlarge. Fruits begin color break (light yellow-green wash appears). Fruits transition to deep burgundy-black as they mature.
Maintain consistent watering (crucial for preventing blossom-end rot). Prune suckers to direct energy to fruit. Monitor for pests. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to concentrate sugars.
Harvest
Ongoing, 2-3 monthsFruits are fully dark burgundy-black, slightly soft when gently squeezed. Interior is deep red with minimal seeds.
Harvest when fruits yield slightly to pressure. Can pick at full color or slightly earlier if frost threatens. Ripen indoors at room temperature if needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick regularly, especially in early morning. Encourage parasitoid wasps. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for heavy infestations.
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Remove lower leaves once plant is established. Improve air circulation. Apply neem oil or sulfur fungicide. Water at soil level only.
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Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide as preventive in humid conditions. Remove infected leaves promptly.
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Increase humidity with regular misting. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage predatory mites and beneficial insects.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture. Apply calcium (lime or gypsum). Mulch heavily to regulate moisture.
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slicing
CulinaryAlmost Black tomatoes are prized for fresh eating due to their rich, complex flavor with sweet and smoky notes. Slice them thickly for sandwiches, caprese salads, or serve alongside fresh mozzarella and basil. [source]
Sauces & Preservation
CulinaryTheir deep color and meaty texture make them excellent for sauces, salsas, and canning. The concentrated flavors develop beautifully when cooked into pasta sauce or tomato paste. [source]
Ornamental Gardening
HouseholdThe dramatic dark burgundy-black fruits create striking visual interest in the garden. Almost Black tomatoes are popular among gardeners who grow for both aesthetics and harvest. [source]
Antioxidant-Rich Food
MedicinalDark-colored tomatoes contain high levels of antioxidants and lycopene, which studies suggest may support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, Almost Black can be easily seed-saved. Ferment and dry seeds properly to maintain varietal purity for future growing seasons. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when they are fully dark burgundy-black and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Harvest in the morning when flavor is highest. The fruit should detach easily from the vine when ripe. For best flavor, allow fruits to vine-ripen fully rather than picking early. In regions with early frost threats, pick fruits at full color (before soft texture develops) and ripen indoors at 65-75°F. Continue harvesting until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Almost Black is technically not a true black tomato but a very dark burgundy-brown color; the darkness is caused by high concentrations of anthocyanins and carotenoids that develop in cool growing conditions.
- 🌱 This variety was developed and popularized by Russian heirloom tomato enthusiasts and gardeners in the early 2000s, making it relatively recent among heirloom varieties.
- 🌱 The flavor is often described as having smoky, earthy, and sweet notes, and many gardeners report that the taste improves if temperatures dip to 60-70°F during fruit maturation, which concentrates sugars and deepens color.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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