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Growing Marmande Tomato Seeds in the Vegetable Garden

Start Marmande tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Sow seeds 0.125 inch deep in a quality seed-starting mix and keep them at 70 to 85 F for best germination. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, pot them up into 3-inch containers to develop a strong root system. Harden off transplants for 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors, and transplant into the garden only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 F. Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart in rows 48 to 60 inches apart, burying the stem up to the lowest leaves to encourage a robust root system.

Marmande is a semi-determinate variety and benefits from staking or caging for support as fruits develop. Water consistently and deeply at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage, to reduce the risk of fungal disease and blossom end rot. Amend your soil with compost before planting, apply a balanced fertilizer at transplant time, and switch to a lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus formula once the plants begin to flower. Removing a few lower leaves as the first fruits set allows better airflow and encourages faster ripening.

Harvesting of Marmande Slicing Tomato

Marmande tomatoes are ready to harvest when fruits reach a full, deep scarlet-red color and give slightly to gentle pressure. Fruits typically weigh 6 to 10 oz and display the variety's characteristic, lightly ribbed, flattened profile with soft pink-tinted shoulders. Because the skin is thin and the flesh is very juicy, harvest frequently as fruits ripen and allow them to finish ripening at room temperature if needed - never refrigerate, as cold temperatures mute the flavor. Regular picking encourages continued fruit set through the season.

About Marmande Tomato Garden Seeds

Marmande takes its name from the commune of Marmande in the Lot-et-Garonne department of southwestern France, where tomato cultivation began as a replacement crop after phylloxera devastated local vineyards in the 1860s and 1870s. The variety was popularized by the Vilmorin Seed Company around 1897 and became a staple of French home gardens and market stalls for generations.

The original Marmande is the smaller-fruited predecessor to Super Marmande, which was later selected for larger fruit size. Where Super Marmande produces fruit in the 10 to 16 oz range, the original Marmande stays at 6 to 10 oz and typically matures a bit earlier, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in regions with shorter growing seasons or cooler summers.

Today, the Marmande tomato remains a celebrated regional specialty in France, where an annual festival in the town of Marmande honors its legacy. Its meaty, nearly seedless flesh and balanced flavor make it ideal for slicing fresh onto salads and sandwiches, stuffing with cheese, or using in sauces and light summer cooking.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Marmande is one of the best choices when you want heirloom tomato flavor but need a variety that handles cooler summers. Plant it in your warmest, sunniest spot, keep a cage on it, and water at the base - you will be rewarded with beautiful, meaty fruits well before many other beefsteak types are ready."

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Marmande TomatoSeeds Per Package:

• 250 mg Packet - Approximately 110 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk - Approximately 12,730 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk - Approximately 50,920 Seeds
• 1 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 203,680 Seeds