Organic 'Italian Heirloom' Tomato
Organic 'Italian Heirloom' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from Gaia seed company, a large, versatile, meaty, and irresistibly tasty red tomato.
The 'Italian Heirloom' tomato is an exceptional heritage variety, renowned for its culinary versatility , remarkable productivity, and natural disease resistance, including blight. Indeterminate, vigorous, and with regular foliage, it produces large, thick, meaty, and juicy red fruits weighing 12 to 20 oz , with a balanced sweet-tart flavor . Their dense texture makes them ideal for generous slices, sauces, salsas, preserves, and everyday cooking.
'Italian Heirloom' is one of those reliable varieties that produce abundantly all season long, even in varying conditions. Highly recommended for home gardens, it embodies the charm of Italian heirloom tomatoes: generous, flavorful, versatile, and robust.
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 : 120 to 150 cm (4 to 5 ft)
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very large red tomato, balanced flavor, resistant to blight, highly versatile
Fruit color : Bright red
Fruit shape : Round, broad to slightly flattened
Fruit size/weight : Large (12–20 oz)
Type of fruit : Beefsteak / versatile table tomato
Texture/flesh : Meaty, thick, juicy, balanced sweet and tangy
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost . Plant the seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix and maintain a temperature of 23–29°C , allowing for rapid germination (5–10 days). Reduce watering and nitrogen during hardening off to produce seedlings ready for vigorous growth.
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 , regular watering (level 3), and sturdy staking , necessary to support the large, fleshy fruit.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit has turned a deep red and reached its full flavor. To get an early harvest, pick the fruit that has just begun to color , then let it ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store at 12–21°C and 95% relative humidity to preserve its freshness and texture.
Usage ideas
• Delicious in thick slices , perfect for sandwiches and heirloom tomato platters
• Ideal for fresh salsa , thanks to its thick texture
• Excellent for canning , quartering, or sauce
• Perfect for homemade Italian pasta and sauces , where its richness is fully expressed
The 'Italian Heirloom' tomato is a true champion of the home vegetable garden: generous, resistant, delicious, and incredibly versatile. An essential heritage variety for any gardener looking for a large, reliable, and flavorful red tomato.
