Organic 'San Marzano' Tomato
Organic 'San Marzano' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a great Italian classic with elongated, rich fruits perfect for sauce
The 'San Marzano' tomato is an iconic heritage variety, shrouded in a certain mystique, inherited from ancient Italian lines. Indeterminate and prolific, it produces long, smooth, uniform tomatoes of a deep, vibrant red , resistant to cracking. Its staggered ripening—the fruits do not all mature at the same time—is particularly valued by growers, who can harvest over a long period without overproduction. Its dense flesh, almost devoid of juice and containing very few seeds, makes it an exceptional tomato for sauces, pastes, roasted dishes, and any preparation where a rich, smooth texture is essential.
Its elongated fruits are deeply aromatic, with a balanced sweetness and an intensity reminiscent of southern Italian culinary traditions. 'San Marzano' remains to this day one of the absolute benchmarks for home cooking, prized as much by passionate gardeners as by chefs seeking authenticity and quality.
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 characteristics : Deep-textured tomato, low juice content, very few seeds, ideal for sauces and preserves
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix and maintain a temperature of 23–29°C to encourage rapid germination in 5 to 10 days . Reduce watering and nitrogen during hardening off to produce strong, well-branched 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) and regular watering (watering level 3) . Indeterminate plants require sturdy staking , especially as the fruit begins to become heavy.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruits reach their typical deep red color and have a dense, uniform texture. If you wish to harvest earlier, pick the tomatoes that have already begun to color , then let them ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store them between 12 and 21°C with 95% relative humidity to maintain their optimal quality.
Usage ideas
• Ideal for long sauces , coulis and rich concentrates
• Exceptional in roasted or confit tomatoes , which reveal all its sweetness
• Perfect for home canning , thanks to its low juice content
• Delicious in Italian stews , where its dense flesh holds up perfectly
The 'San Marzano' tomato is a staple of the Mediterranean vegetable garden: flavorful, productive, and incomparable in the kitchen. This heirloom variety perfectly embodies Italian culinary tradition and continues to delight with its timeless quality.
