Marmande tomato: growing, pruning & more

Regina

I studied horticultural sciences at university and in my free time you can find me in my own patch of land, growing anything with roots. I am particularly passionate about self-sufficiency and seasonal food.

Favourite fruit: quince, cornelian cherry and blueberries
Favourite vegetables: peas, tomatoes and garlic

What does a ‘Marmande’ tomato taste like and what should you consider when growing this variety? Here is everything you need to know about this classic, beefsteak tomato.

A cluster of unripe Marmande tomatoes hang on the vine — The ‘Marmande’ has large, ribbed fruits [Photo: ivan sierra gomez/ Shutterstock.com]

Contents

‘Marmande’ tomato: profile
Origin and history
The best varieties of the ‘Maramande’ tomato
Description and taste of the ‘Marmande’ tomato variety
Plant and care for ‘Maramande’: how to grow ‘Maramande’ tomatoes
Harvesting and using ‘Maramande’ tomatoes

‘Marmande’ tomato: profile

Fruit	Beefsteak; various colours
Flavour	Savory yet slightly fruity
Ripening time	Mid-late
Growth	Indeterminate, up to 160cm in height
Location	Greenhouse, outdoors under protection, in a pot

Origin and history

Tomato ‘Maramande’ is named after a city in the south west of France. It was originally grown in the city’s surrounding country and is reported to have found popularity after the blight of 1870. The blight devastated vineyards in southern France and prompted tomato cultivation instead. Since then, the aromatic ‘Maramande’ has been nothing but a commercial success and beloved garden plant.

The best varieties of the ‘Maramande’ tomato

The typical, red variety of this beefsteak tomato is marketed under the name ‘Maramande’. However, there are yellow varieties that are fittingly referred to as ‘Marmande Jaune’, as well as green, ‘Marmande Verte’ varieties. Recently, HM Clause, a company in the United States, bred an even darker ‘Maramande’-type variety called ‘Adora’. This dark brown tomato received the Innovation Award 2018 at the international Fruit Logistica trade fair and is now officially recognised as a ‘Maramande’ colour.

Description and taste of the ‘Marmande’ tomato variety

All ‘Maramande’ plants produce large, ribbed fruits that can weigh up to 500 grams. The ‘Maramande’ tomato plant is a determinate, meaning that the plant will reach a fixed mature size and begin to ripen all of its fruit in a somewhat short period of time, usually around two weeks. The ‘Maramande’ tomato plant’s height itself is still somewhat small compared to other varieties, reaching only 160cm tall, and tends not to produce ripe fruit until the beginning of August.

The ‘Maramande’ tomato is savory with a slight tartness. Its skin is soft and thin, and tends to “melt” when fully ripe. As an heirloom variety, you can propagate ‘Maramande’ from its own seeds.

Four ripe Marmande tomatoes rest on a table — ‘Maramande’ variety tomatoes begin to ripen in August [Photo: Frank Bach/ Shutterstock.com]

Plant and care for ‘Maramande’: how to grow ‘Maramande’ tomatoes

‘Maramande’ tomato growing can be quite simple: the ‘Maramande’ tomato plant is easy to care for and resistant to disease. All varieties of ‘Maramande’ require warm temperatures and are best suited to greenhouses. If you want to plant your ‘Maramande’ outdoors, it will need protection from the rain and plenty of sunlight. From May onwards, simply dig a deep hole, and place your young ‘Maramande’ tomato plant in it. If you can, mix into the hole a natural, slow-release fertiliser, like Plantura Tomato Food. This way, your tomato plants will be supplied with nutrients right from the start. After two months, apply a second round of fertiliser.

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If you are cultivating your ‘Maramande’ in a plant pot, it is best to use speciality soil. Our pre-fertilised Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost will do wonders. It is peat-free and fosters root growth. Once you have planted and fertilised your ‘Maramande’ tomato plant, tie it to a support and thin it regularly. Remember: never leave more than two shoots growing, otherwise you will have a low yield.

Harvesting and using ‘Maramande’ tomatoes

Once summer has come and your beautiful ‘Maramande’ starts producing tomatoes, it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labour! As a large beefsteak tomato, ‘Maramande’ is perfect sliced on bread or in burgers. Its large fruits make for delicious soups and sauces and are just as tasty cooked or processed.

There are so many tomato varieties we could go on forever! Instead, we have written some articles. Here are our top 60 tomato varieties!