How to Grow Darkness
Wikimedia Commons
Darkness
Solanum lycopersicum 'Darkness'
vegetableDarkness is a heirloom tomato variety known for its deep, mahogany-brown color and rich, complex flavor profile. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized fruits (3-4 oz) with excellent taste and disease resistance. It's a favorite among tomato enthusiasts for its striking appearance and superior flavor compared to many commercial varieties.
When should you plant Darkness in your zone?
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Example Darkness timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Darkness
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 Darkness
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Darkness dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with season extension possible in zones 3-4
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Get my Darkness timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with 2-3 true leaves; fragile but rapidly growing
Provide 14-16 hours of grow light at 3-4 inches above seedlings. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 65-75°F temperature.
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingRobust young plant with multiple leaf sets and establishing root system
Harden off before transplanting. Plant deep (up to first leaves) to encourage strong root development. Install stake or cage early. Begin weekly fertilizing with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
3-4 weeksPlant reaches 4-6 feet tall with clusters of yellow flowers forming along the vine
Provide sturdy support structure. Continue consistent watering. Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruiting over excessive foliage. Prune suckers for better air circulation and fruit development.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; gradually enlarge and begin color change to deep mahogany-brown
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Reduce nitrogen, increase potassium and phosphorus. Prune lower foliage after first fruit set to improve air flow. Monitor for pests.
Harvest-Ready
Ongoing for 6-8 weeks until frostFruits reach full size with deep mahogany-brown color, slightly soft when gently squeezed
Harvest when fully colored and slightly yielding to pressure. Can harvest at light pink stage and allow to ripen indoors. Continue harvesting to encourage more production. Check plants daily during peak season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick regularly, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if infestation is severe
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Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; use yellow sticky traps; ensure good air circulation
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Increase humidity and water leaf surfaces; spray neem oil or miticide if severe; remove heavily infested leaves
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Prune lower foliage, ensure air circulation, remove infected leaves immediately, apply copper fungicide or sulfur, avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves and fruit, apply copper-based fungicide, ensure excellent drainage and air flow, avoid overhead watering
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Choose resistant varieties if possible, practice crop rotation, avoid overhead watering, remove and destroy infected plants
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Eating
CulinaryThe rich, complex flavor of Darkness tomatoes makes them exceptional for fresh slicing, salads, and sandwich applications. Their deep color and meaty texture create an elegant presentation. [source]
Sauces & Preservation
CulinaryThe substantial flesh and lower water content make Darkness ideal for making tomato sauce, paste, and canned products. Their depth of flavor concentrates beautifully during cooking. [source]
Antioxidant Health Benefits
MedicinalDeep-colored tomatoes like Darkness contain elevated levels of lycopene and other antioxidants associated with heart health and cancer prevention. Regular consumption may support cardiovascular and cellular health. [source]
Ornamental Gardening
HouseholdThe striking mahogany-brown fruits and productive vine make Darkness an attractive dual-purpose plant for decorative kitchen gardens. The unusual color creates visual interest alongside red and yellow tomato varieties. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs an heirloom, open-pollinated variety, Darkness is ideal for home seed saving. Collect seeds from fully ripe fruits, ferment them to remove gel coating, and dry thoroughly for next season's planting. [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 fully mahogany-brown and slightly soft to the touch, usually 75-85 days from transplanting. Darkness can be harvested at the light pink stage and ripened indoors at room temperature. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In fall, pick all remaining fruits before the first frost and allow to ripen indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The Darkness tomato gets its deep mahogany-brown color from elevated levels of anthocyanins and lycopene, the same compounds that make blueberries and red peppers beneficial.
- 🌱 Darkness is an indeterminate variety, meaning it grows continuously throughout the season and produces fruit until frost, unlike determinate varieties that produce all fruit within a concentrated timeframe.
- 🌱 This variety is sometimes confused with 'Cherokee Purple,' but Darkness typically has better disease resistance and produces slightly smaller but more numerous fruits.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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