How to Grow Marglobe
Solanum lycopersicum 'Marglobe'
Marglobe is a classic heirloom tomato prized for its reliable yield and disease resistance. Gardeners favor this variety for its crack-resistant fruit and ability to thrive in warm conditions while offering good protection against common wilts.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Marglobe: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Marglobe is not usually started indoors.
Plant Marglobe seeds directly outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for this warm-season crop.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm; do not sow indoors early. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep directly into the garden or start them in pots once danger of frost has passed completely. Germination typically takes six to twelve days under these warm conditions.
Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Provide sturdy support, such as a cage or trellis, since the plant can reach ten feet tall. Maintain consistent moisture by watering regularly at the base of the plant and apply mulch around the roots to retain water. Feed the soil with balanced fertilizer if growth seems sluggish.
Watch for aphids, whiteflies, tomato fruitworms, and flea beetles; remove pests manually or use organic sprays. Prevent early blight, late blight, bacterial spot, and verticillium wilt by rotating crops and ensuring good airflow. Harvest the fruit 75 to 85 days after planting when they are fully colored and slightly soft.
When to Plant Marglobe
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 | — | August – 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 Marglobe
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients due to different root depths
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor through sulfur compounds
Provides ground cover and benefits from tomato's shade during hot weather
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Repels many insects and may enhance tomato flavor and growth
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in tomatoes
Stunts tomato growth and both plants compete for similar soil nutrients
Both are susceptible to corn earworm, creating shared pest problems
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
