Sow indoors March through April approximately six to eight weeks before planned transplanting. Place seed 0.5 cm deep, maintain 21–27°C, and keep mix moist; emergence generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot seedlings up, and harden gradually. Transplant only after last frost once soil is warm and nights are sufficiently mild.
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Indeterminate heirloom cherry tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Black Opal’ cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Opal’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Opal’
Organic heirloom open-pollinated indeterminate cherry tomato producing abundant clusters of small deep-purple juicy sweet fruit.
Quantity
About 30 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Black Opal
Type
Indeterminate heirloom cherry tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Black Opal’ cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Opal’) is an organic heirloom open-pollinated indeterminate variety. Long clusters carry small deep-purple fruit that may appear nearly black at full maturity, with thin skin and juicy flesh. Rich sweet flavour suits fresh snacking salads appetizers and colourful garnishes. The workbook lists approximately 30 seeds, height of 1.8–2.1 m, spread of 60 cm, and maturity around 70 days after transplanting.
Sow indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture; germination generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot up after true leaves appear, and harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun into fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Install a sturdy stake or cage immediately to support vigorous growth.
Water deeply and consistently at soil level without saturating the ground, then mulch once it is warm. Tie stems and harvest frequently to encourage production until cold nights. Pick when fruit becomes deep purple and slightly yielding; colour varies with maturity and sunlight. Monitor cracking blossom-end rot insects and foliar disease. Harvest before frost and discard mouldy slimy deeply split or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate indeterminate growth and air circulation.
Establishment temperature
21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F)
Establishment time
7 to 14 days
Best planting time
Indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow Black Opal indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture until emergence in 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. Transplant after frost into fertile organic-rich drained soil in full sun. Space near 60 cm, immediately install a sturdy cage, water at soil level, and mulch. Harvest frequently around 70 days once fruit is deep purple and slightly yielding.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10°C (50°F)
Watering
Water deeply at soil level when the top three to five centimetres begin to dry while maintaining moisture as evenly as possible. Alternating drought and heavy watering encourages cracking and may contribute to blossom-end rot while constantly waterlogged soil suffocates roots and increases disease. Water in the morning without unnecessarily wetting foliage then mulch once soil warms. During fruit set and sizing avoid prolonged water stress. In a large container check moisture daily during hot weather without leaving standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep fertile loose well-drained organic-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0–6.8. Incorporate mature compost before transplanting while avoiding fresh manure and excess nitrogen that produces leaves at the expense of fruit. Work soil when neither sticky nor dusty and do not compact the root zone. Even moisture and adequate calcium reserves support healthy fruiting without automatic calcium additions unless testing supports them. Rotate three or four years away from tomatoes peppers eggplants and potatoes.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before transplanting then base later feeding on a soil test or the label of a balanced fruiting-vegetable fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes very vigorous stems and leaves but delays flowering and ripening. After fruit set balanced nutrition including potassium and phosphorus may support fruiting without exceeding label rates. Never place concentrated fertilizer against roots and water after application. In containers split a dilute solution rather than using one strong dose. No calcium supplement replaces even watering or a test confirming deficiency.
Seasonal care
In spring sow indoors six to eight weeks before last frost and provide intense light immediately after emergence. Pot up once true leaves develop then gradually harden. In summer tie stems and support heavy clusters with a strong cage or trellis. Water deeply at soil level, maintain clean mulch, and remove only diseased leaves or those touching soil. Monitor cracking blossom-end rot aphids and foliar diseases. Harvest red fruit as it ripens. In fall pick before frost, remove plants, and plan a three-to-four-year rotation.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
35 to 45 L; container 35 to 45 cm wide
Choose a very stable 50–75 L container at least 45–60 cm deep and wide with several drainage holes. Fill with airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost. At planting install a very strong cage or stake capable of supporting a 1.8–2.1 m indeterminate plant and heavy small fruit. Place in full sun, water slowly when the surface begins to dry, and never leave the pot in a water-filled saucer. Mulch lightly, feed moderately for fruiting vegetables, tie stems, and check moisture daily during hot weather.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in Quebec
Growth rate
Vigorous during the warm season
Bloom period
Small yellow flowers in successive clusters through the warm season
Fruiting
Small deep-purple fruit borne in long abundant clusters through summer
Harvest
Generally harvest around 70 days after transplanting when small fruit becomes deep purple, nearly black, and slightly yielding to gentle pressure. Colour may vary with maturity and sunlight. Pick ripe clusters regularly to encourage continued production from the indeterminate plant. Support the cluster with one hand and detach fruit without tearing stems. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil and early lettuce can occupy nearby space when light, water, air circulation, and root room remain sufficient.
Avoid planting with
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Snacks salads appetizers colourful garnishes and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Colourful Black Opal cherry tomato salad — Rinse sound fruit, halve, and combine with red or yellow cherry tomatoes cucumber and basil. Add a drizzle of olive oil and season immediately before serving. Keep ingredients cold and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
The workbook confirms indeterminate growth. The plant therefore continues growing and fruiting until cold nights rather than concentrating harvest in a short period. At transplanting install a tall cage trellis or very strong stake and tie stems with soft ties. Listed height is 1.8–2.1 m and small fruit requires particularly sturdy support.
Generally harvest around 70 days after transplanting once fruit has developed deep purple colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. A green area may remain at the shoulders and colour varies with sunlight. Support each fruit and cut the stem with a clean tool. Pick progressively, bring developed fruit indoors before frost, and discard mouldy slimy or deeply split fruit.
Yes but use a very stable 50–75 L container 45–60 cm deep and wide with excellent drainage. Install very strong support at planting for a 1.8–2.1 m plant and heavy fruit. Place in full sun, check moisture daily during hot weather, water deeply without standing water, and feed lightly according to a fruiting-vegetable fertilizer label.
Yes. The workbook identifies this variety as heirloom and open-pollinated. To reduce crossing isolate blossoms intended for seed or adequately separate cultivars. Choose a healthy typical fruit, let it fully ripen, collect seed and gel, then follow a recognized fermentation rinsing and complete drying method. Label with cultivar and year. Do not use diseased or atypical fruit as a seed source.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
