Super Marmande VF Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, sowing at a depth of 1/4 inch in warm soil (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep the soil consistently moist and provide bright light once seedlings emerge.

Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit and frost danger has passed, spacing plants 18 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.

Pick fruits when they reach full color and yield slightly to gentle pressure, typically 70-85 days from transplanting. Super Marmande VF fruits are ready when the color deepens to a rich red throughout, and they should come away from the vine with a slight twist. For the best flavor and highest juice content, harvest in the morning when temperatures are cool, and allow fruits to sit at room temperature for a day or two before using.

As a semi-determinate variety, Super Marmande VF benefits from moderate pruning to improve air circulation and fruit quality. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce disease pressure from soil splash, and selectively thin dense foliage in the upper canopy to allow sunlight to reach developing fruits. Avoid excessive pruning, which can expose fruit to sunscald; the goal is better air flow rather than a bare plant.