How to Grow Black Hawk Tomato

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Black Hawk Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Hawk'

vegetable

Black Hawk is a determinate slicing tomato known for its dark burgundy-black color and rich, complex flavor. It was developed by the University of Minnesota to be disease-resistant and cold-tolerant, making it ideal for northern gardeners. The plant produces medium-sized fruits (6-8 oz) with excellent taste and productivity.

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Example Black Hawk Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Black Hawk Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Black Hawk Tomato
Around Jun 21

≈ 65 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Hawk Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily (8+ hours preferred)

💧

Water: Consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid fungal diseases. Water more frequently in hot weather, reduce watering as season progresses to concentrate flavor

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 65-75 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: Start seeds 1/4 inch deep indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant deeply (bury lower stem) when soil is 60°F minimum

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Bone meal Calcium (crushed eggshells or lime to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8, excellent cold tolerance for northern climates

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Small green sprouts with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge, followed by first true leaves

Provide bright light 12-16 hours daily under grow lights or on sunny windowsill. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain temperature 65-75°F. Begin fertilizing lightly once true leaves appear

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks indoors, 1-2 weeks after transplant until flowering

Plant develops robust stem and dense foliage; no flowers yet. Reaches 6-12 inches tall indoors before transplanting

Harden off seedlings gradually 7-10 days before transplanting. Bury stem up to first true leaves when planting in garden. Space 24 inches apart. Prune suckers from determinate varieties minimally. Water consistently

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters on the main stem and branches. Plant reaches full height (2.5-3.5 feet for determinate)

Ensure consistent watering to avoid flower drop. Maintain warm temperatures (65-80°F day, 55-70°F night). Support plant with stakes or cages early. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer, increase phosphorus to promote flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing

Fruit Development & Maturation

3-4 weeks from fruit set to harvest

Small green fruits form at flower clusters and gradually enlarge to dark burgundy-black color. Fruits reach 6-8 oz mature size

Provide consistent water to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Remove lower leaves once fruit sets to improve air circulation. Stake or cage heavily. Reduce watering slightly in late season to concentrate sugars. Monitor for late blight and septoria leaf spot

Harvest & Ripeness

Ongoing until first frost or 8-10 weeks into fruiting season

Fruits develop deep burgundy-black color with slight softness to gentle pressure. Fully ripe fruits have complex aroma

Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft. Pick ripe fruits every 2-3 days. Use pruning shears to avoid damaging stems. Can pick mature green fruits before frost and ripen indoors. Store at room temperature, never refrigerate until past peak ripeness

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Carrot Parsley Marigold Nasturtium Garlic Onion Borage

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) Fennel Dill Potatoes Kohlrabi Eggplant Peppers

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars; plant dill and parsley to attract parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if infestation is heavy
Use reflective mulch; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap in early morning; increase air circulation; yellow sticky traps
Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water; use neem oil or sulfur dust; introduce predatory mites
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide or chlorothalonil every 7-10 days; mulch to prevent soil splash
Remove infected leaves immediately; avoid wetting foliage; apply copper fungicide every 7-10 days; ensure good spacing and airflow
Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium (lime or crushed eggshells) to soil; mulch to regulate moisture; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizing

Uses

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Fresh eating and slicing

Culinary

Black Hawk produces rich, complex-flavored fruits ideal for slicing on sandwiches or in salads. The dark burgundy color and meaty texture make it a premium choice for fresh applications. [source]

🍳

Sauce and paste production

Culinary

The determinate growth habit produces abundant fruits in a short window, perfect for making tomato sauce, paste, or concentrates. The high solids content and rich flavor create excellent canned products. [source]

🍳

Canning and preservation

Culinary

Black Hawk's determinate nature and simultaneous ripening make it ideal for home canning projects. The fruits can be preserved as whole tomatoes, sauce, salsa, or ketchup. [source]

💊

Antioxidant and lycopene source

Medicinal

Dark pigmented tomatoes like Black Hawk are rich in lycopene and other antioxidants, particularly abundant in the dark burgundy tissue. Regular consumption may support cardiovascular health and reduce oxidative stress. [source]

🎨

Seed saving

Craft

Black Hawk is an open-pollinated variety suitable for home seed saving. Gardeners can ferment and dry seeds for replanting next season, maintaining the variety's genetics. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Black Hawk is determinate, so fruits ripen in concentrated waves, ideal for canning or sauce-making. Harvest when fully dark burgundy-black and slightly yielding to pressure (usually 65-75 days after transplant). Pick every 2-3 days at peak ripeness for best flavor. Use pruning shears to cleanly remove fruits. Can pick mature green fruits 1-2 weeks before frost and ripen at room temperature (60-70°F) indoors for up to 2 weeks. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight until consumed.

Fun Facts

🌱 Black Hawk was developed by the University of Minnesota specifically for cold climates and northern gardeners, making it one of the few dark-colored tomatoes that reliably sets fruit in short seasons and cool nights
🌱 The dark burgundy-black color comes from high levels of anthocyanins (the same compounds that make blueberries blue), which also provide antioxidant benefits
🌱 As a determinate variety, Black Hawk produces most of its crop within 2-3 weeks, making it ideal for gardeners who want large harvests for canning or preserving rather than continuous season-long production

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun pH Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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