San Marzano tomato: growing tips & care

The ‘San Marzano’ tomato is a unique variety of plum tomato, with an instantly recognisable, fruity aroma. Here is everything you need to know about growing, cultivating, and enjoying this heirloom variety.

The uniquely shaped ‘San Marzano’ plum tomato has a wonderful, fruity aroma that can turn any meal into a trip to southern Italy. Here is an overview of this tomato variety, its history and how to care for it.

‘San Marzano’ tomato: profile

Origin and history of the ‘San Marzano’

The name ‘San Marzano’ comes from a region of southern Italy that bears the same name. It is here that the tomato is predominantly grown. ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes have been grown commercially since the 1920s, and are usually found canned. Over the years, however, low maintenance, easy-care varieties have replaced the ‘San Marzano’. So much so, that in 1991 it was removed from the tomato catalogues altogether. Fortunately, thanks to an initiative started in ‘San Marzano’ itself, hobby gardeners have preserved this variety, and it is still widely available to this day!

‘San Marzano’ tomato properties and flavour

‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are about 10cm long and with a blunt end. They are thinner than the average plum tomato and hang in clusters of seven to eight. The ‘San Marzano’ plant reaches 150cm in height and can produce five kilograms of tomatoes per plant!

Plum tomatoes, as a rule of thumb, ripen later than other tomatoes. They need a lot of warmth and time to fully mature, so you will have to wait until mid-August before they are fully ripe. ‘San Marzano’ tomato plants are indeterminate, meaning that, unlike determinate varieties, once it begins producing fruit it will continue doing so throughout the growing season. ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are also an heirloom variety, meaning that once the season’s harvest is over, seeds can be used to grow new plants.

A ‘San Marzano’ tomato’s flesh is deep red and firm to the bite. ‘San Marzano’ taste sweet and fruity, with a slight acidity. Different varieties of ‘San Marzano’ are available, including non-reproducing, hybrid varieties.

How to grow ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes: tips for open-field planting

‘San Marzano’ tomato plants are disease-tolerant and extremely hardy, which makes it ideal for outdoor cultivation. After the last frost in mid-May, you can plant young ‘San Marzano’ starters outside. Simply dig a large hole and fill it with soil. Our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost is a great choice. It is peat-free and pre-fertilised, providing San Marzano all the nutrients it needs to flourish.

Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost, 40L

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• Perfect for tomatoes & other vegetables such as chillies, courgettes & more
• For strong & healthy plant growth as well as an abundant vegetable harvest
• Peat-free & organic soil: CO₂-saving composition

£16.99

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‘San Marzano’ care

Due to its size, ‘San Marzano’ will need the support of a stake. And it will do well with only two shoots. To promote these two shoots, remove all side shoots, leaving the main stem and the “secondary” shoot that sits low on the stem. From June onwards, ‘San Marzano’ will begin to produce fruit! Once this starts, the plant will need a lot of nutrients. One way you can provide these nutrients is with a slow-release fertiliser. Plantura Tomato Food will do just the trick!

Tomato Food, 1.5kg

(5/5)

• Perfect for tomatoes, chillies, courgettes, cucumber & more
• For healthy plants & an abundant tomato harvest
• Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly

£9.99

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Harvest time and uses

In late summer, once harvesting has begun, you can truly delight in ‘San Marzano’s’ versatility. With a unique aroma and taste, ‘San Marzano’ is best served cooked or in soups, sauces and ketchup.

Looking for other unique tomato varieties? Then ‘Tigerella’ tomatoes, might be for you! They are striped, and taste delicious. Take a look!