Tomato Seeds - Salad - Tasmanian Chocolate
70-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heat tolerant, indeterminate, slicing dwarf tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses, containers, and large hanging baskets. Largely credited to Craig LeHoullier (author of Epic Tomatoes), Tasmanian Chocolate has garnered a loyal following among home gardeners due to its compact size, prolific yields, and excellent flavor. Tasmanian Chocolate tomatoes are perfect for traditional, container, and patio gardeners alike who want a compact yet productive plant with delicious fruit. They offer a unique color and flavor and are well-suited for small spaces. ~12,000 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Tasmania Chocolate Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden
Tasmanian Chocolate tomatoes are an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a compact yet high-yielding variety with delicious, deep-flavored fruit. To grow these tomatoes from seed, start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Sow seeds about 0.25 inches deep in seed-starting mix, lightly covering them with soil. Keep the seeds in a warm location (70-80 F) and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or under grow lights for 12-16 hours a day. You should see seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.
Once the seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves, you can begin thinning them or transplanting them into larger containers to give them room to develop strong roots. Continue growing them indoors until they are about 6-8 inches tall, and be sure to harden them off before transplanting outdoors. Plant into the garden 24-36 inches apart.
Water according to local climate needs to encourage strong root systems. Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Companion planting with basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums can help repel pests and improve growth.
Harvesting Tasmania Chocolate Tomatoes
Tasmanian Chocolate tomatoes are ready to harvest when they turn a deep, rich mahogany color with hints of green shoulders. The fruits should feel firm but give slightly to pressure when gently squeezed. Harvest tomatoes using garden shears or gently twisting them off the vine to avoid damaging the plant. As an indeterminate variety, these tomatoes will continue to set fruit over a long period rather than ripening all at once.
About Tasmania Chocolate Tomato Garden Seeds
This variety was developed as part of the Dwarf Tomato Project, a breeding collaboration between amateur tomato breeders and experienced growers led by Craig LeHoullier and Patrina Nuske Small. The project aimed to create new tomato varieties that combined compact growth with delicious, full 4-6 ounce fruits, perfect for small gardens or patios.
The fruits are medium to large in size, with a smooth texture and a sweet yet slightly smoky flavor, making them ideal for fresh eating, salads, or cooking.
Whether you have a small balcony garden or a larger plot, this tomato variety thrives in both, making it versatile for various gardening situations.
Tasmanian Chocolate tomatoes are known for being quite heat tolerant, making them a good option for warmer climates. They are reasonably drought-tolerant but will still need regular watering to produce well. They can tolerate humidity to an extent but are not particularly cold-tolerant.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"The dwarf indeterminate type tomatoes are my favorite. They have the best of both worlds! They stay compact and bushy like determinate varieties but yield lots of tomatoes throughout the summer, like indeterminate types."
 |
- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Tasmania Chocolate Tomato Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 100 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 2900 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 12,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 47,800 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 191,200 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Solanum lycopersicum (Previously Lycopersicon esculentum, however this name is no longer accepted as correct) |
| Tomato Type: | Slicing - Larger, round tomatoes, the size of your fist or larger. |
| Tasmania Chocolate Tomato Color: | Brown-Red |
| Tasmania Chocolate Tomato Flavor: | Rich, balanced flavor with a sweet and slightly smoky taste. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual: Not intended to overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-80 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Indeterminate - Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-type plants that sprawl (requiring a cage or trellis to support them) and continue to grow throughout the season. Indeterminate tomato plants will continue to produce tomatoes for the rest of the season, so you can harvest continually. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. |
| Plant Width: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Spread: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready to harvest 70 to 80 days from transplant. Tricky to get a tomato by the 4th of July with these varieties. They are good mid-summer producers for most USDA Zones. |
| Germination Temperature: | 65-85 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Common pests known to harm tomato plants, in general, include the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, flea beetles, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies. Also, watch for common diseases such as blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Most of these can be prevented by maintaining a regular watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. Regularly check your plants for pest damage throughout the season. For treating pest and disease problems, we recommend using an organic neem-based product. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container, Large Hanging Basket |
| Tomato Use: | Salads, fresh eating, sandwiches, stews, soups, canning, etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |