Tomato
Seed # 94
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 94
- Seed Name
- Tomato
- Variety
- San Marzano
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Solanaceae
- Plant Type
- Indeterminate Italian paste tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
- Planting Method
- Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 24
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 1
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Mar 24 – Apr 7
- Direct Sow
- Not Recommended
- Transplant
- May 12 – Jun 1
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 6 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 1 weeks
- Germination Days
- 5–7 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 78–85 days from transplant
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 75-85°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4 in
- Plant Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Row Spacing
- 36-48 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- About 1-1.5 in/week; maintain even moisture and avoid prolonged wet-dry cycles
- Soil Preference
- Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; approximately pH 6.0-6.8
- Minimum Container Size
- 10 gal
- Plant Height
- 6-8 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- Yes
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Chives | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Corn | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Corn | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Corn | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Corn | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–95 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5–10+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers support pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start indoors yearly. Paste tomatoes are great for sauce/canning.
Zone 6B Notes: Transplant after frost and when soil has warmed. Provide cages/stakes.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums, calendula, borage, garlic, chives
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Fennel, potatoes, corn very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
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Zone 6B: Start indoors 5-6 weeks before transplanting and set outdoors after frost danger has passed. The indeterminate vines require a long sturdy support through the Michigan growing season.
Germination: Maintain 75-85°F and moderate moisture. Germination commonly occurs in approximately 5-7 days.
Harvest: Harvest elongated red fruits when fully colored. San Marzano is prized for thick flesh, relatively low seed content and sauce/canning quality.
Seed Saving: Traditional San Marzano is open-pollinated. Ferment seed from fully ripe fruit, rinse and dry thoroughly. Some commercial packets labeled San Marzano may represent different selections, so preserve packet identity.
Special Care: Do not confuse classic San Marzano with San Marzano II, San Marzano Redorta or hybrid San Marzano-type cultivars. Published classic San Marzano listings vary somewhat in maturity, so the verified range is preserved.
Research Source: Seed Savers Exchange — https://exchange.seedsavers.org/listing?p4_listing_id=62618169-1567-42B3-B586-7C02E2BE3502 — classic San Marzano identity, indeterminate habit, Italian paste use and 85-day maturity
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/research-farm/open-pollinated-revival-project-3-improved-op-tomato-varieties.html — San Marzano paste characteristics and approximately 78-day maturity
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/san-marzano-ii-organic-tomato-seed-3405G.html — tomato germination temperature, 5-7 day germination, 5-6 week indoor start and 1/4-inch sowing depth
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