Organic 'Blue Beech' Tomato
Organic 'Blue Beech' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, an Italian-style tomato with a sausage shape, robust, productive and perfect for homemade sauces
The 'Blue Beech' tomato is a heritage variety with exceptional flesh, prized for its elongated, 8- to 10-ounce fruits that are meaty, dense, and flavorful. Imported from Italy to Vermont during World War II , it has established itself as a reliable and versatile tomato in northern climates. Indeterminate and vigorous, it offers high yields and concentrated ripening , making it ideal for canning, while also providing excellent harvests for sauces, coulis, roasted tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Its distinctive green shoulders lend it a heritage charm and a traditional appearance. Its firm flesh, excellent resistance to blossom-end rot , and disease tolerance make it a sought-after variety for serious gardeners and small-scale growers. A hard-working tomato… but also one with great flavor.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/carrying habit : Indeterminate, robust and productive
Plant height : 120 to 150 cm (4–5')
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : 8–10 oz “sausage” fruits, concentrated ripening, excellent resistance to BER, ideal for cold climates
Fruit color : Red with hereditary green shoulders
Fruit shape : Elongated (sausage type)
Fruit size/weight : Large (8–10 oz)
Fruit type : Paste/sauce tomato
Texture/flesh : Very meaty, dense, not very juicy, rich flavor
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Bury seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in light potting soil at 23–29 °C for germination in 5 to 10 days . Reduce water and nitrogen during hardening off to produce strong, productive plants.
Transplant into the garden when there is no longer any risk of frost. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24–36") apart with 120 to 180 cm (4–6') between rows. Plant in full sun and maintain regular watering (level 3) . Sturdy staking is essential, as the heavy fruit clusters will weaken the stems.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit is a deep red and the green shoulders have lightened slightly. To bring forward the harvest, pick as soon as the first color appears , then let it ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store between 12–21°C , at 95% humidity , to preserve its dense flesh.
Usage ideas
• Ideal for thick sauces , coulis and preserves
• Perfect for oven-roasted tomatoes , concentrating its sweetness
• Excellent dried , thanks to its low water content
• Delicious also fresh , in firm slices
The 'Blue Beech' tomato is a valuable heirloom variety: productive, resistant, perfectly suited to cooler climates, and boasting exceptional flesh. An essential tomato for any gardener wanting to produce rich and authentic sauces.
