Organic 'Grandma Mary Paste' tomato
Organic 'Grandma Mary Paste' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, an early, generous, and remarkably high-quality sauce tomato
The 'Grandma Mary Paste' tomato is a heritage variety selected for its early maturity, abundant yield, and high-quality fruit, ideal for processing. Indeterminate and vigorous, it produces large, meaty, uniform 6-10 oz fruits that are perfectly suited for sauces, coulis, and homemade preserves. Their dense, flavorful flesh, combined with their excellent cooking qualities, makes them a choice tomato for gardeners who enjoy cooking with their harvest.
Its remarkable productivity and the quality of its flesh have earned it much praise, including from Bird & Bee Seeds, who helped to popularize it. 'Grandma Mary Paste' is ideal for home vegetable gardens thanks to its consistent yield, pleasant flavor, and rapid maturity for a pasta tomato.
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/Carry : Indeterminate, vigorous
Plant height : 150 to 200 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Early maturing, very productive, excellent quality flesh for sauces
Fruit color : Red
Fruit shape : Oblong to slightly oval (paste type)
Fruit size/weight : Large (6–10 oz)
Fruit type : Paste/sauce tomato
Texture/flesh : Dense, meaty, flavorful, excellent cooking qualities
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Plant the seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix, at a temperature of 23–29°C to encourage rapid germination (5–10 days). Reduce watering and nitrogen during the acclimatization period to develop robust plants.
Transplant when all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches) apart, with 120 to 180 cm (4 to 6 feet) between rows. Provide full sun (level 3) , water regularly (level 3) , and install sturdy supports , essential for supporting the heavy fruit.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit reaches a uniform red color and full ripeness. To speed up harvesting, pick those that have already begun to color , then let them ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store between 12–21°C at 95% relative humidity to maintain their dense texture.
Usage ideas
• Ideal for rich and velvety homemade tomato sauces
• Perfect for sauces , soups, and stews
• Delicious when roasted , concentrating its aromas
• Very good preserved : in wedges, as a paste, or in cubes
The 'Grandma Mary Paste' tomato is a classic for processing: early-maturing, abundant, meaty, and reliable. An essential heirloom variety for any gardener looking to grow a truly flavorful and productive paste tomato.
