How to Grow and Care for Black Krim Tomato

Black Krim are medium-size heirloom tomatoes in a color range from dark maroon to deep purple or almost black. A hybrid of 'Beefsteak' and 'Cherokee Purple,' Black Krim mature to about four to six inches in diameter. It’s not only the color but also the squat, flattened globe and taste that make this tomato variety stand out.

Black Krim tomatoes have an intense flavor with sweet and acid notes; their taste is often described as slightly salty. The tomatoes are named for the Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea (“Krim” in Ukrainian) where they originated.

All parts of the tomato plant except for the fruit are toxic to humans and pets.

How to Plant Black Krim Tomato

Black Krim tomatoes are easy to start from seed indoors, or you can purchase seedlings. Don't transplant seedlings until well after the last frost, when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees.

Plant these tomatoes in full sun and in nutrient-dense, well-draining soil, leaving three to five feet between each plant. If direct sowing your Black Krim tomato seeds, plant each seed about 1/4 inch deep.

When to Plant

Plant after danger of late spring frost, when the soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees. Harden the seedlings off before transplanting them in the garden. Black Krim are highly sensitive to cold.

Selecting a Planting Site

Plant in full sun exposure. Sun is essential, even more so for Black Krim, which need lots of sunlight and heat to achieve full color. Before planting, check the surrounding area for plants that could cast shade on the tomatoes. Choose a spot with excellent drainage.

If you don’t have a suitable location in the ground, you can grow Black Krim in large containers.

Tip

Never plant tomatoes where other members of the nightshade family (e.g., potatoes, eggplants, and peppers) were grown the year before.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Black Krim tomatoes are indeterminate and need ample space and a sturdy support, such as staking or tomato cages. Leave 3 to 5 feet between the plants in each direction, the more space, the better to allow air flow and give you easier access when picking.

Depending on the size of the seedling, you can plant using the deep hole method where you bury up to one-third of the plant, or the trench method where you lay the seedling on its side.

Black Krim Tomato Care

Light

Black Krim tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of full sunlight per day.

Soil

Soil should be loamy, rich and well-drained, with plenty of organic matter. Tomatoes do best with a slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 6.8).

Water

Water deeply and regularly and never let the soil dry out. During hot summer weather, and for tomatoes growing in containers, this means daily watering, if not twice daily during a heat wave. Dry soil during fruit development can cause blossom end rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Black Krim are tolerant of heat but not cold, so time your spring planting to the weather. High humidity can promote fungal diseases when the dense foliage stays wet. Prune regularly to provide good air circulation.

Fertilizer

Use a general slow-release organic fertilizer or a special tomato fertilizer slightly higher in potassium. Calcium helps prevent blossom end rot. For exact amounts, follow the label instructions. Fertilize the soil before planting and then every three or four weeks.

Pollination

Tomatoes are mostly self-pollinating, so you don’t need to rely on pollinating insects. Because Black Krim are open-pollinated, there is a chance they could cross-pollinate with other tomato varieties nearby. This won't affect your current crop of tomatoes, but any saved seeds may produce a genetic mix and likely won't resemble Black Krim.

Harvesting Black Krim Tomato

Generally, Black Krim tomatoes are ready to harvest when the fruits reach a uniform shade of dark red. Disregard the color of the tomato just around the stem, which remains greenish even when ripe.

How to Grow Black Krim Tomato in Pots

Choose at least a 10 gallon pot heavy enough to keep the plant and its support from toppling over. Make sure the pot has large drainage holes and fill it with high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil.

Pruning

Pruning is necessary to keeping the lush growth of indeterminate Black Krim tomato plants under control. It also improves air circulation.

Early in the season, remove all the suckers and low branches that touch the ground. (To prevent long branches from touching the ground, stake your tomato plants.) Later in the season, move from pruning out suckers to thinning out leaves to increase airflow.

About one month before the average date of the first fall frost in your area, you can also cut the top off the plants. That way the plant’s energy goes into ripening the last tomatoes rather than producing more foliage and flowers.

How to Grow Black Krim Tomato From Seed

Starting Black Krim tomatoes from seed is not difficult—it's similar to growing any other tomato from seed. If your local nursery does not carry Black Krim seedlings, starting them from seed is often the only way to get your hands on this heirloom variety.

Fill seed starting trays with moist seed starting mix. Plant two Black Krim seeds in each cell, about 1/4 inch deep, and gently cover with the mix. Place the trays in a warm area to speed up germination, ideally above 70 degrees. Keep the soil moist by covering it with a humidity dome or plastic bag, otherwise mist it every couple of days.

As soon as the seeds germinate, move the trays into full sun. Seedlings will become leggy and topple over in a day or two if kept in the dark. Thin each cell to one seedling each.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Black Krim tomatoes are prone tocracking and blossom end rot, which is often caused by irregular watering practice. The plants are also susceptible to fungal diseases, likeFusarium wilt, andVerticullium wilt.

From: thespruce