Organic 'Red Marmande' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, an early and tasty French variety
The 'Red Marmande' tomato is a French heritage variety developed in the 1800s in the Marmande region of southwest France. This region, known for its sunny climate, favored the emergence of this tomato with its refined taste and juicy, tangy flesh . Appreciated by market gardeners and home gardeners alike, it is particularly suited to cooler climates , which allows it to be one of the first to produce fruit in season.
Did you know?
The town of Marmande is so attached to its emblematic tomato that it organizes the Tomato Festival every year, where thousands of visitors come to taste this variety in all its forms.
Spread: vigorous growth and good leaf coverage
Plant height: 150 to 200 cm
Quantity per pack: ± 20 seeds
Companion plants: basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until maturity)
Enemy plants: potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Cultivation method
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, then transplant to open ground after the last frost , when night temperatures are above 12°C . Plant 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4") deep , spacing plants 60-90 cm (24-36") apart and rows 120-180 cm (4-6') apart. This tomato requires strong staking , as its vigorous growth promotes generous production.
Harvesting and storage
Harvest tomatoes when they reach a uniform light red color and are slightly soft to the touch. For best flavor , allow them to ripen directly on the vine. Alternatively, pick them when they start to change color and allow them to ripen off the vine at 72°F (22°C).
Store tomatoes at room temperature , away from direct sunlight. To prevent them from losing their flavor and texture, do not refrigerate them. If you want to store them for longer, place them in a cool place (12-21°C) with a relative humidity of 95% . Arrange them stem side down , without them touching, to slow down their ripening.
Long-term preservation methods
Freezing: Cut them into pieces or freeze them whole for future use in sauces and soups
Drying: Slice them and let them dehydrate slowly for richly flavored dried tomatoes.
Preserve: transform them into tomato sauce, coulis or candied tomatoes to enjoy them all year round
With its historical origin, its balanced taste and its precocity , the Tomato 'Red Marmande' is an essential variety for any gardener wishing for a generous and tasty harvest.
