How to Grow Patty's Plum
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Patty's Plum
Solanum lycopersicum 'Patty's Plum'
vegetablePatty's Plum is an heirloom tomato variety known for its deep purple-brown color and rich, complex flavor with low acidity. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized, plum-shaped fruits that are meaty with few seeds, making them ideal for slicing and cooking. The plant is a prolific producer that requires staking or caging for support.
When should you plant Patty's Plum in your zone?
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Example Patty's Plum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Patty's Plum
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 Patty's Plum
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Patty's Plum dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can grow in zone 3-4 with protection and long season management
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Get my Patty's Plum timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, pale green color, delicate structure
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights; maintain 65-75°F temperature; thin if overcrowded
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingVigorous growth with multiple sets of compound leaves; strong main stem and lateral branches developing; plant reaches 12-24 inches tall before first flowers appear
Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors; install stakes or cages early; remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation; pinch off suckers on indeterminate varieties for better fruit production
Flowering
4-6 weeksYellow clusters of small flowers appear in leaf axils; plant continues vegetative growth while producing flower buds; blooms open gradually over several weeks
Maintain consistent watering and temperature; provide balanced fertilizer with slightly lower nitrogen; ensure good air circulation; avoid excessive nitrogen which delays fruiting; prune suckers selectively
Fruiting
5-7 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; fruits gradually enlarge and change color from green to light purple, then deep purple-brown at maturity; plant becomes heavy with fruit
Increase watering during fruit development; provide sturdy support structure as fruits become heavy; apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture; consider leaf pruning above fruit clusters to improve sun exposure without exposing fruit to sunscald
Harvest
6-8+ weeks until frostFruits reach full deep purple-brown color, firm but slightly yielding to gentle pressure; plant continues producing fruits until frost
Harvest at full color for best flavor; can pick slightly early and ripen indoors if needed; continue watering and staking; remove diseased or damaged fruit immediately; continue harvesting until first frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick regularly; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps; use netting to prevent egg-laying
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Spray with strong water stream; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; introduce predatory mites
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce parasitic wasps; reflective mulch
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Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected plant parts; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; space plants adequately; water at soil level only; destroy infected plants completely
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Choose resistant varieties when possible; practice crop rotation; remove infected plants entirely; sterilize tools; improve soil drainage
Uses
Gourmet slicing and sauces
CulinaryPatty's Plum's meaty texture and low seed content make it excellent for slicing fresh in sandwiches and salads, or for cooking down into rich, deeply flavored sauces and soups. The low acidity and complex flavor profile make it a favorite for specialty tomato products. [source]
Fresh eating and flavor
CulinaryThese tomatoes are prized for their sweet, complex taste with subtle smoky and fruity notes, superior to many commercial varieties. They are best enjoyed fresh, allowing the rich flavor to shine without cooking. [source]
Seed saving and preservation
HouseholdAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, Patty's Plum seeds can be saved for future seasons, making it economical and rewarding for home gardeners interested in seed preservation. Proper fermentation and drying of seeds maintains viability for 4-6 years. [source]
Garden heritage and home cultivation
CraftGrowing Patty's Plum connects gardeners to horticultural history and biodiversity; these heirloom varieties maintain genetic diversity that commercial breeding has largely abandoned. Home gardeners play a crucial role in preserving these living heritage plants. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe abundant flowering stage of indeterminate tomatoes like Patty's Plum attracts bees and other pollinators throughout the season, supporting garden ecosystem health. The flowers provide nectar that benefits beneficial insects. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest fruits when they reach full deep purple-brown color with slight give when gently squeezed. The flavor is best when fully ripe on the vine. For extended season, pick fruit at the breaker stage (first color change) and ripen indoors. Continue harvesting until the first hard frost. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight; refrigeration reduces flavor quality. These plum-shaped fruits are best enjoyed fresh or in cooked preparations.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Patty's Plum is an heirloom variety popularized by seed company Seed Savers Exchange, named after a gardener's dedication to preserving historic tomato genetics
- 🌱 The deep purple-anthocyanin pigmentation in the skin is the same compound found in blueberries and red wine, contributing to the tomato's distinctive color and potential antioxidant properties
- 🌱 Patty's Plum is indeterminate, meaning it grows continuously throughout the season and can produce fruit until frost, unlike bush varieties that stop growing at a fixed height
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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