How to Grow Black Krim
Solanum lycopersicum
Black Krim is a beloved heirloom tomato prized for its rich, complex flavor and dark purple-black skin. Gardeners grow this variety to enjoy deep, meaty fruit that offers a unique taste profile distinct from standard red tomatoes.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Black Krim: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Black Krim is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors before the last frost; instead, wait until soil is warm and frost danger has passed before moving seedlings directly outdoors.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 before sowing. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors only after the last frost date has passed or when night temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; they typically germinate within 7 to 14 days once soil warmth is established.
Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart in full sun. Install sturdy cages or trellises early, as these indeterminate varieties can reach heights of 10 feet and require significant support. Provide consistent moisture to prevent cracking and apply mulch to retain water while feeding the plant regularly during the growing season.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites; inspect leaves frequently and remove pests manually or use organic controls. Prevent late blight, early blight, blossom end rot, and fruit cracking by ensuring good air circulation and consistent watering. Harvest the dark, heavy fruits approximately 80 days after transplanting when they yield slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Black Krim
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Black Krim
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may improve disease resistance
Provides living mulch and utilizes different soil layers
Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels spider mites and provides ground cover
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunting
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Both attract corn earworm which also damages tomatoes
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
