{"product_id":"principe-borghese-heirloom-tomato-seeds","title":"Principe Borghese Tomato, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePrincipe Borghese Tomato, Heirloom Seeds — The Classic Italian Sun-Drying Paste Tomato, Small Plum-Shaped Fruits Born in Clusters, Intensely Meaty With Little Juice, 70–75 Days\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrincipe Borghese (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e) is the tomato Italy has relied on for sun-drying and sauces for generations. Small 1–2 oz plum-shaped fruits with distinctive pointy ends grow in abundant clusters on compact bushy determinate plants 18–36 inches tall. The flesh is intensely meaty with little juice and few seeds — exactly the qualities that make it the gold standard for sun-dried tomatoes, thick sauces, and canning. In dry climates, whole branches can be cut and hung to dry until leathery — the traditional Italian method. Equally excellent fresh. Compact plants suit containers and large hanging baskets as well as garden plots and raised beds. Cold-tolerant enough to germinate at 45°F — earlier outdoor sowing than most tomato varieties. 70–75 days from transplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Principe Borghese?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe classic Italian sun-drying tomato\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1–2 oz plum-shaped fruits with pointy ends, born in clusters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntensely meaty with little juice and few seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e — ideal for drying, sauces, paste, and canning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional Italian drying method\u003c\/strong\u003e — hang whole branches to dry in warm, dry conditions until leathery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold-tolerant germination\u003c\/strong\u003e — can germinate at 45°F vs. 50°F for most tomatoes; earlier outdoor start\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact bushy determinate\u003c\/strong\u003e — suits containers (14–20” wide), hanging baskets, raised beds, and small plots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResistant to various disorders\u003c\/strong\u003e — durable and reliable for Italian kitchen gardeners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun-drying:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve fruits, salt lightly, and dry in full sun on screens for 4–6 days, or use a dehydrator at 135°F for 8–12 hours. In dry climates, cut whole branches and hang them until the fruits turn leathery — the classic Italian farm method. \u003cstrong\u003eSauces \u0026amp; paste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The meaty, low-moisture flesh cooks down quickly into thick, intensely flavored sauce without the long reduction times of juicier varieties. \u003cstrong\u003eCanning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent for whole-pack and crushed tomatoes. \u003cstrong\u003eFresh:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, classic tomato flavor eaten out of hand or sliced in salads.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost, ¼ inch deep in warm moist seed-starting mix. Germination: 7–10 days. Principe Borghese can be sown outdoors once nights stay above 45°F — earlier than most varieties that require 50°F. Harden off seedlings 3–4 inches tall with 1–2 sets of true leaves before transplanting. \u003cstrong\u003eDeep planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove all lower leaves and plant with only the top 2 inches and top set of leaves above soil — the buried stem develops additional roots for a stronger plant. Space plants 18–36 inches apart, rows 36 inches apart. Stake or cage for support. For \u003cstrong\u003econtainers\u003c\/strong\u003e, use a pot at least 14–20 inches wide with rich soilless mix. Water 1–2 inches per week. Fertilize with balanced fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to favor fruiting. \u003cstrong\u003eStagger plantings 1 week apart\u003c\/strong\u003e to extend the concentrated determinate harvest window. Protect from frost with row covers or cloches in northern climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70–75 days from transplant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–2 oz, plum-shaped with pointy ends\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright red at maturity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlesh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery meaty, little juice, few seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, classic, intensely concentrated when dried\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompact bushy determinate, 18–36 inches tall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResistant to various disorders\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainer Suitable\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — 14–20 inch wide pot minimum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHanging Basket\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — large hanging baskets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCold Tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGerminates at 45°F (vs. 50°F for most tomatoes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–36 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e¼ inch; deep plant to 2 inches above soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–6.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun; 65–95°F ideal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 (annual)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Determinate Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"~25+ Seeds","offer_id":41712388866182,"sku":"2592-1223--30","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"~50+ Seeds","offer_id":41712388898950,"sku":"50-92-1223--30","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7658532771_qlw8.jpg?v=1770130759","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/principe-borghese-heirloom-tomato-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}