Harrow Velvet is a Canadian heirloom tobacco that has earned its place in gardens since the early 1900s. This upright Burley-type cultivar grows 3 to 5 feet tall with remarkably uniform, tightly spaced leaves that cure into a smooth, refined product. Hardy in full sun and ready to harvest in 60 to 69 days from transplant, it thrives in fields, containers, raised beds, and greenhouses alike. Deer leave it untouched, and its resistance to black root rot makes it a dependable choice for growers in challenging conditions.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
60in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Harrow Velvet stands tall and straight with leaves packed densely along the stem, a trait that makes harvesting efficient and processing straightforward. Bred in Canada during the early 1900s, this open-pollinated heirloom brings both genetic stability and a proven track record to contemporary gardeners. The smooth curing quality that gave it its name remains one of its defining strengths, and its documented resistance to black root rot sets it apart from more disease-prone varieties.
Harrow Velvet is grown primarily for tobacco production, where its smooth curing characteristics and reliable yield make it valued by both home cultivators and small-scale growers. The dense, uniform leaf arrangement allows for efficient harvesting and processing, qualities that have sustained its use for over a century.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds shallowly on the soil surface or just barely covered, as tobacco seeds need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain warm temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seedlings should emerge within 7 to 14 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date once they have developed 4 to 6 true leaves and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Plant at the spacing recommended: 24 inches between plants and 36 inches between rows. Handle seedlings gently, as tobacco transplants can be fragile.
Harvest begins 60 to 69 days after transplanting outdoors, when leaves reach full size and take on a slightly leathery texture. Leaves should be a mature yellow-green to light tan color. Harvest by hand, removing mature leaves from the bottom of the plant first and working upward over successive weeks as upper leaves mature. Cut or snap leaves at the base where they attach to the stem. Plan to cure harvested leaves promptly in a well-ventilated, temperature-controlled space to preserve the smooth quality the variety is known for.
Pruning is minimal for Harrow Velvet due to its naturally upright, unbranching growth habit. Remove any diseased, damaged, or yellowing lower leaves as the plant matures to improve air circulation and reduce pest and disease pressure. Avoid excessive leaf removal before harvest, as the foliage is the crop.
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“Harrow Velvet emerged from Canadian agricultural development in the early 1900s, a period when regional breeding programs were creating locally adapted crop varieties. The variety's name itself speaks to its character: the leaves cure into a product prized for its smooth, velvety quality. Developed as a Burley-type cultivar, it was engineered to produce uniform, tightly spaced foliage that simplifies the labor-intensive harvest and curing process. As an open-pollinated heirloom, it has remained genetically stable across generations, allowing seed savers to maintain its original characteristics and pass it forward to contemporary gardeners seeking reliable, non-GMO tobacco strains.”