How to Grow Black Gold Tomato
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Black Gold Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Gold'
vegetableBlack Gold is a striking heirloom tomato variety featuring deep mahogany-black fruits with golden-yellow striping and a rich, complex sweet flavor. These medium to large indeterminate plants produce abundant yields throughout the season and are prized by gardeners for their unique appearance and exceptional taste.
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Example Black Gold Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Black Gold 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 Black Gold Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Gold Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as annuals in zones 3-4 with protection
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate and pale green
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily, maintain soil moisture without waterlogging, maintain 65-75°F temperature, use grow lights if indoors
Vegetative/Transplant
2-3 weeksStocky 6-12 inch plants developing deeper green color with robust leaves; ready for hardening off and outdoor transplanting
Gradually expose to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days, fertilize weekly with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer, pinch off lower leaves if leggy, transplant outdoors after last frost when soil reaches 60°F
Flowering & Early Fruiting
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters appear (typically at 6-8 true leaves); small green fruits begin forming, plant grows vigorously with multiple stems
Install sturdy stakes or cages immediately, begin pruning suckers on indeterminate types, switch to balanced or slightly lower nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruit set, maintain consistent watering
Fruit Development & Ripening
4-6 weeksMultiple fruit clusters at various stages; fruits mature from green to deep mahogany-black with golden streaks, plant becomes densely leafed
Maintain deep, consistent watering (critical during ripening), prune excessive foliage to improve air circulation and sun exposure to fruits, monitor closely for disease and pests, side-dress with compost mid-season
Peak Production & Harvest
6-8 weeks or until frostContinuous ripening of new fruits while earlier ones are harvested; plant at full size with heavy fruit load
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production, remove yellowing or diseased leaves, water deeply 1-2 times weekly, pinch off flower clusters 6-8 weeks before first frost to redirect energy to existing fruits
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily, encourage natural parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if infestation is severe
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Use strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, yellow sticky traps, neem oil
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Increase humidity, spray with water, neem oil, insecticidal soap
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Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper or sulfur fungicide, mulch to prevent soil splash
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Plant resistant varieties, solarize soil, practice crop rotation (3+ year minimum), remove infected plants immediately
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryBlack Gold tomatoes are prized for their exceptional sweet, rich flavor with subtle smoky and complex notes, making them ideal for fresh slicing, salads, and showcasing their stunning appearance on the plate. [source]
Cooking and sauces
CulinaryThe deep color and concentrated sugars make these excellent for homemade tomato sauce, salsa, and cooked tomato dishes where their distinctive color and flavor shine. [source]
Nutritional value
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and antioxidants. The dark pigmentation suggests high anthocyanin content, contributing to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. [source]
Ornamental garden display
CraftThe striking black and gold coloring makes Black Gold an attractive focal point in the garden or as a potted specimen plant, blending function with aesthetic appeal. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs a stable heirloom variety, Black Gold tomatoes are excellent for home seed saving, allowing gardeners to preserve genetics year after year with proper fermentation and drying techniques. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fully colored deep mahogany-black with golden stripes and fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. For best flavor, allow to fully ripen on the vine. Tomatoes can be picked at the breaker stage (slight color change) and ripened indoors. Pinch stem gently or use pruning shears to avoid damaging the vine. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In fall, harvest green tomatoes 4-6 weeks before frost for indoor ripening.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Gold's striking mahogany-black color with golden streaks comes from high anthocyanin and lycopene concentrations, pigments also responsible for the health benefits in blueberries and raspberries.
- 🌱 This variety was developed and popularized by Tom Wagner, a renowned heirloom tomato breeder who created numerous black tomato varieties by crossing diverse genetic lines.
- 🌱 Indeterminate varieties like Black Gold can grow 6-8 feet tall or more with proper support, producing fruit continuously until frost, making them prolific producers in long-season climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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