How to Grow Paul Robeson
Solanum lycopersicum 'Paul Robeson'
Paul Robeson is a classic heirloom tomato celebrated for its rich flavor and deep red color. Gardeners prize this variety for its historical significance and reliable production in warm climates where it can thrive.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Paul Robeson: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Paul Robeson is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors; plant seedlings directly into the garden only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed up.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 to suit this sensitive crop. As a warm-season tomato, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm before planting. Sow seeds at a depth of about one-quarter inch; they typically germinate within seven to fourteen days under these ideal conditions.
Space plants thirty-six inches apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent disease. Install sturdy stakes or cages early for support, as the plant can reach ten feet tall. Maintain consistent moisture by watering deeply at the base, and apply mulch around the stems to retain water while feeding regularly with balanced fertilizer.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms; use insecticidal soap or hand-picking for control. Prevent late blight, early blight, and fusarium wilt by ensuring excellent air flow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest ripe fruit approximately ninety to ninety-five days after transplanting when the color is deep red.
When to Plant Paul Robeson
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 | — | October – September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | September – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 11 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 12 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 13 | January | — | May – July |
Companion Plants for Paul Robeson
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for deep nutrients
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Repels many insects and may provide some disease resistance benefits
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Both attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
