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Black Russian Tomato is a striking heirloom variety that lives up to its name, developing deep black fruit as it matures on vigorous indeterminate vines. These medium 4-ounce tomatoes emerge from an open-pollinated lineage and reach harvest in just 80 to 85 days from transplant, making them reliable for most growing seasons. The plants stretch 60 to 72 inches tall and thrive in full sun with moderate water, producing slicing tomatoes that deliver genuine flavor depth.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
72in H x ?in W
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High
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Black Russian yields medium, 4-ounce fruit with striking dark coloring that deepens as the tomato ripens. Growing on indeterminate, bushy plants, this heirloom tomato reaches maturity in 80 to 85 days and adapts well to gardens, raised beds, and greenhouses. The combination of distinctive appearance, reliable productivity, and open-pollinated genetics makes it a standout choice for gardeners seeking both visual interest and traditional tomato flavor.
Black Russian Tomato is grown as a slicing tomato, ideal for fresh eating where its distinctive dark color and medium size showcase the variety's visual appeal. The 4-ounce fruit suits salads, sandwiches, and any preparation where a quality slicing tomato shines. Home gardeners value it both for the produce itself and for the satisfying experience of growing an heirloom variety that they can harvest and save seeds from season to season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Begin seeds indoors 7 to 9 weeks before your anticipated last frost date. Maintain soil temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for consistent germination.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed adequately. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows to allow for good air circulation and room for the indeterminate growth habit.
Harvest Black Russian Tomatoes when they have fully darkened to their characteristic black color, typically 80 to 89 days after transplanting. The fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure and pull easily from the vine. Medium 4-ounce tomatoes indicate mature, flavorful fruit ready for the kitchen.
As an indeterminate tomato, Black Russian will benefit from pruning to manage its vigorous growth and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves as the plant grows to reduce disease pressure, and consider removing some lateral shoots to focus energy on fruit production and overall plant health.
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“Black Russian Tomato carries the heritage of an heirloom tomato tradition, developed and preserved as an open-pollinated variety that allows gardeners to save seeds year after year. Its Russian origin is encoded in the name itself, reflecting the plant's journey from Eastern European gardens into the hands of seed savers and heirloom enthusiasts who recognized its value. Like many dark-fruited Russian tomatoes, this cultivar represents the work of countless gardeners who maintained the line through careful selection and seed stewardship.”