How to Grow Nuit d'Or
Nuit d'Or
Solanum lycopersicum 'Nuit d'Or'
vegetableNuit d'Or is a French heirloom tomato variety prized for its deep, dark burgundy-black color and rich, complex flavor profile. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized fruits (3-4 oz) with meaty, sweet-tart flesh and minimal seeds. It's a favorite among specialty growers and tomato enthusiasts for its striking appearance and superior taste.
When should you plant Nuit d'Or in your zone?
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Example Nuit d'Or timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Nuit d'Or
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 Nuit d'Or
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Nuit d'Or dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; grows as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warm zones
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Get my Nuit d'Or timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall green cotyledons emerge, followed by true leaves with typical tomato serration
Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; maintain 70-75°F
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and establishes strong root system; no flowers yet
Harden off seedlings before transplanting; plant deeply; provide sturdy support/cage; fertilize with balanced formula every 2-3 weeks
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters along the main stem and side branches; plant grows vigorously
Continue support structure; ensure consistent watering to prevent flower drop; switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruiting
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; fruit begins to enlarge and gradually darkens from green to deep burgundy-black
Maintain consistent watering and mulch to regulate moisture; prune excessive foliage to allow sun penetration for color development; stake heavily as fruit weighs down branches
Harvest
Ongoing through frostFruits reach full 3-4 oz size with deep, nearly black burgundy color and slight give when gently squeezed
Harvest when color is fully developed but fruit still has slight firmness; allow to ripen on plant for best flavor; pick ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); inspect plants daily
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Spray with water to dislodge; neem oil; sulfur dust; maintain humidity
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch
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Choose resistant varieties; improve drainage; remove infected plants; crop rotation; stake to improve air flow
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Remove lower leaves; maintain air circulation; water at soil level; fungicide (copper or chlorothalonil); mulch
Uses
Fresh eating & slicing
CulinaryExceptional fresh tomato with complex, sweet-tart flavor profile and meaty texture. The dark color makes striking presentations in salads and plated dishes. Best enjoyed fresh within days of harvest. [source]
Sauce & cooking
CulinaryProduces concentrated, rich tomato sauce with deep color and balanced acidity. The minimal seed content makes processing simpler. Ideal for Burgundy wines-inspired tomato preparations. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdOpen-pollinated heirloom variety that produces viable, true-to-type seeds for next season. Collect seeds from fully ripe fruits, ferment, wash, and dry for storage. [source]
Display & exhibition
CulinaryThe striking deep burgundy-black color makes Nuit d'Or a show-stopper at farmers markets, food events, and garden exhibitions. Color is a key characteristic sought by specialty growers. [source]
Lycopene antioxidant content
MedicinalDark-colored tomatoes like Nuit d'Or contain high concentrations of lycopene and other antioxidants. These compounds are associated with cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits. [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 fruit is deep burgundy-black and yields to gentle pressure (typically 75-85 days after transplant). Nuit d'Or develops its signature dark color best when fully ripe on the vine. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. For peak flavor, allow 2-3 days of ripening after picking if harvested slightly early. Late-season fruits can be picked at breaker stage (first color showing) and ripened indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nuit d'Or translates to 'Night of Gold' in French, a poetic reference to its dark burgundy exterior combined with the golden-orange flesh within when sliced.
- 🌱 The deep, nearly black color develops through high concentrations of anthocyanins and carotenoids—the same pigments that make blueberries and beets deeply colored.
- 🌱 This variety is indeterminate, meaning it grows continuously throughout the season and can reach 6-8 feet tall, producing fruit until killed by frost.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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