Black Krim Tomato Heirloom Seeds

Enjoy rich flavor and dusky color with Black Krim, a celebrated heirloom associated with the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea. Its juicy beefsteak fruits ripen to brown-red, maroon, or purplish tones, often retaining green-brown shoulders. Slice a sun-ripened tomato for a sandwich or serve it with basil and a little olive oil to savor its sweet-tart flavor and smoky notes.

Why Grow Black Krim?

• Rich, complex flavor: Enjoy a full tomato taste with sweetness, tang, and savory or smoky notes.
• Distinctive dusky fruit: Brown-red to maroon coloring and darker shoulders bring contrast to salads and platters.
• Juicy beefsteak texture: Broad slices suit sandwiches, burgers, and fresh summer meals.
• Indeterminate vines: Plants continue growing and setting fruit while conditions remain favorable.
• Open-pollinated heirloom: A long-standing favorite for home vegetable gardens.

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 to support vines and heavy fruit. Water consistently at soil level and mulch to conserve moisture. Maintain airflow while retaining enough foliage to shade developing tomatoes.

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

Harvest Details

• Days to maturity: Approximately 75–90 days from transplant, with many sources listing around 80 days; weather and growing conditions affect timing.
• Fruit: Large, slightly flattened beefsteaks, commonly around 8–16 ounces; individual sizes vary.
• Ripe color: Brown-red, maroon, or dusky purple with green-brown shoulders that may remain at maturity.
• Growth habit: Indeterminate; sturdy support required.
• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum.
• Life cycle: Frost-tender warm-season annual.
• Packet options: Approximately 25 or 50 seeds; choose your packet size.

Harvest when fruits develop their mature dusky color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Do not wait for a uniform black exterior or for every green shoulder to disappear. Black Krim can crack, particularly after abrupt moisture changes; consistent watering and timely picking help reduce losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Black Krim turn solid black?

No. Expect dusky red-brown, maroon, and purple tones rather than a jet-black tomato. Color intensity varies with weather and sun exposure.

Can a tomato with green shoulders be ripe?

Yes. Check the color and gentle softening of the rest of the fruit rather than relying on shoulder color alone.

Does a salty flavor mean it contains added salt?

No salt is added by growing this variety. Some people describe a savory or slightly salty flavor impression; that is a tasting description, not a sodium-content claim.

What are its best kitchen uses?

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

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor and your garden's success.