Black Beauty Tomato Seeds

Bring striking color and rich flavor to your summer harvest with Black Beauty. Developed by tomato breeder Brad Gates, this open-pollinated variety bears fruit with dark purple-to-near-black sun-exposed skin and deep red flesh. Slice a ripe tomato for a sandwich or combine it with yellow and pink varieties for a colorful garden salad.

Why Grow Black Beauty?

• Distinctive dark skin: Purple-black pigmentation is strongest on sun-exposed surfaces; shaded areas can retain more red color as fruit ripens.
• Deep red interior: Meaty, juicy flesh contrasts beautifully with the dark exterior.
• Rich flavor: Enjoy earthy, savory notes with sweetness and a tang.
• Indeterminate vines: Plants continue growing and setting fruit during favorable weather.
• Open-pollinated selection: A modern Brad Gates variety, not described here as a traditional heirloom.

Planting and Growing

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your intended transplant date. Sow approximately ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix, provide warmth for germination, and give seedlings strong light. Harden off gradually before planting outdoors after frost danger has passed and conditions have warmed.

Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Install a sturdy stake, cage, or trellis at planting time. Water consistently at soil level and mulch to conserve moisture. Maintain airflow but retain enough foliage to protect fruit from sunscald; do not strip the plant simply to darken its tomatoes.

For square foot gardening, use 1 plant per sq ft (trellis required) with dedicated vertical training and regular pruning. Allow more room for caged or multi-stemmed plants.

Harvest Details

• Days to maturity: Approximately 80 days from transplant; weather and growing conditions affect timing.
• Fruit: Medium-to-large slicing tomatoes with dark purple-black skin and deep red flesh; size varies between selections and growing conditions.
• Growth habit: Indeterminate; sturdy support required.
• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum.
• Life cycle: Frost-tender warm-season annual.
• Packet size: Approximately 15+ seeds.

Ripeness Guide

Dark skin alone does not mean the tomato is ripe. Look for the shaded underside to develop red or brick-red color and check for a slight give under gentle pressure. Fruit should no longer feel hard. Handle gently and enjoy ripe tomatoes promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the flesh black?

No. The interior is deep red. The darkest pigmentation is in the skin, especially where exposed to sunlight.

Are there verified blueberry-level antioxidant amounts?

This listing makes no quantified antioxidant comparison or health-benefit claim. Its dark coloration is a variety trait, not a nutritional guarantee.

Is Black Beauty an F1 hybrid?

No. It is a stabilized open-pollinated variety. A variety developed through crossing is not automatically an F1 hybrid.

How should I use the harvest?

Enjoy fresh slices in sandwiches, salads, and tomato platters, or cook ripe fruit into a fresh sauce.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC. Open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds selected for your garden.