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Madole Tobacco is a heritage dark tobacco cultivar that embodies the practical elegance of heirloom plants. Known for its rich, full flavor and forgiving growth habit, this open-pollinated variety matures remarkably fast, typically in 55 to 60 days from transplant, reaching about five feet tall. Deer naturally avoid it, and its upright form and quick maturation make it accessible for gardeners working with containers, raised beds, or traditional garden plots.
Full Sun
Moderate
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60in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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This heritage dark tobacco grows with surprising speed and vigor, reaching maturity in roughly two months from transplant. The plant's full-bodied flavor and reliable yield have kept it alive through generations of seed savers who prized its combination of rich character and forgiving temperament. Its resistance to deer and suitability for multiple growing systems, from containers to field plots, means you can grow it almost anywhere you have good sun.
Madole Tobacco is grown for its leaves, which are harvested and cured for tobacco use. Its heritage dark character reflects traditional tobacco cultivation practices and flavor preferences developed over generations of careful selection.
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Start seeds indoors in a warm environment well before your last frost date, as this variety takes 55 to 60 days to mature after transplanting. Tobacco seeds are tiny; sow them on the surface of moist seed-starting mix or press them very lightly into the soil, keeping light conditions bright.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space transplants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart in a location with full sun exposure.
Harvest leaves when they have yellowed and feel papery to the touch, typically 55 to 60 days after transplanting. Pick leaves from the bottom of the plant upward as they mature, or harvest the entire plant once the upper leaves show yellowing. Handle harvested leaves carefully to avoid damage that can affect curing quality.
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“Madole Tobacco carries the story of heirloom plant preservation in its seeds. As a heritage dark tobacco, it represents the knowledge and taste preferences of growers who selected and saved it over many generations, recognizing its particular flavor profile and consistent performance. Its survival and availability today speaks to the work of seed libraries and heirloom stewards who recognized that a tobacco with both rich flavor and practical growing habits deserved a place in the modern garden.”