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 dwarf mahogany-brown tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic dwarf ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’
Open-pollinated organic dwarf tomato with a compact stout plant and 140 to 340 g oblate mahogany fruit with dense juicy flavourful flesh.
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Tasmanian Chocolate
Type
Indeterminate dwarf mahogany-brown tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic dwarf ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’) is an open-pollinated organic variety developed by the Dwarf Tomato Project. The stocky plant forms a stout central stem and dark green rugose foliage while generally remaining 90 to 120 cm tall. It bears medium to large oblate slightly ribbed tomatoes weighing 140 to 340 g that ripen to rich mahogany or chocolate brown. Dense juicy meaty flesh delivers full complex balanced flavour for slicing sandwiches salads and fresh sauces.
Sow indoors six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep in warm evenly moist mix. Provide strong light immediately after emergence, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. Transplant in full sun after frost into fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Despite its dwarf habit this tomato is indeterminate and continues growing and fruiting; a compact sturdy cage supports its heavy fruit efficiently. It suits gardens edible beds and large containers.
Water slowly and deeply at soil level when the surface begins to dry, then mulch after soil warms to stabilize moisture. Feed moderately without excess nitrogen and monitor loaded branches. Maturity generally occurs around 80 to 85 days after transplanting. Harvest when the skin has developed even mahogany colour, shoulders are no longer green, and fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Clip the stem with pruners when needed 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 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 Tasmanian Chocolate 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. After frost transplant in full sun in the ground or a large deep container. Install a cage or stake, water at soil level, and mulch. Harvest frequently approximately 75 days after transplanting once small fruit is uniformly red.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
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 after true leaves then harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun in the ground or a large deep container. Install a cage or stake to support loaded stems without assigning an unconfirmed growth type. In summer water deeply at soil level, check container moisture often, mulch, and feed moderately. Harvest red fruit frequently. Before frost pick developed fruit, remove plants, and clean containers.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Choose a large stable deep container with numerous drainage holes; no exact size is confirmed for the Biologiquement Vôtre lot. Fill it with airy compost-enriched vegetable potting mix and place it in full sun. Install a compact cage at transplanting because heavy fruit can bend branches even though the plant stays dwarf. Water slowly when the surface begins to dry without standing water. Mulch lightly, feed moderately, and check moisture daily during hot or windy weather.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Golden 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
Clusters of mahogany to chocolate-brown fruit on a stout dwarf plant
Harvest
Harvest generally 80 to 85 days after transplanting when fruit has developed even mahogany to chocolate-brown colour, shoulders are no longer green, and flesh yields slightly to gentle pressure. Tomatoes may remain firmly attached; use clean pruners to clip the stem without tearing the branch. Place fruit in a single layer to prevent bruising. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy deeply split 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.
Salads snacks appetizers lunch boxes garnishes and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Tasmanian Chocolate toast — Rinse a sound fruit, remove the stem, and cut into thick slices. Arrange on toast with fresh cheese basil and a drizzle of oil. Salt immediately before serving to preserve texture. Keep ingredients cold and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Do not eat tomato leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy deeply split or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Tasmanian Chocolate has a compact dwarf habit, but its fruit can become heavy. A short sturdy cage or several stakes installed at transplanting keep loaded branches from sagging. Tie them loosely and check ties during growth. This moderate structure is especially suitable for large containers and small gardens.
Generally harvest around 75 to 85 days after transplanting once fruit has developed red 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. The workbook indicates culture in a large deep container without confirming exact dimensions. Use a stable pot with several drainage holes and airy compost-enriched mix. Place in full sun, install a cage or stake for loaded stems, check moisture daily during hot weather, water until it drains without standing water, and feed moderately according to label directions.
Yes. This open-pollinated variety can be reproduced from seed collected from a fully ripe, sound, true-to-type fruit. Briefly ferment the seeds, rinse them, and dry them thoroughly before storing them cool, dry, and dark. Protecting a few flowers before they open helps limit occasional crossing with neighbouring tomatoes.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
