Tomato Marmande - organic seeds

Marmande Tomato

The Marmande Tomato is a traditional, powerful, and highly productive variety from Southwest France. Known for its vibrant red color, firm flesh, and sweet, fragrant taste, this tomato variety is cherished both for growing in the garden and for culinary use. Marmande tomatoes are of exceptional flavor, making them a favorite for cooks. This mid-season variety has semi-determinate growth and yields an excellent harvest.

Cultivation Tips for the Organic and Reproducible Marmande Tomato

To grow the Marmande Tomato, start by sowing indoors at a consistent temperature of at least 20°C (ideally 24°C) from mid-February to late March or early April. This gives you around 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outdoors.

Ensure the environment is warm, moist, and well-lit, and water the seedlings regularly to keep them healthy.

Once the seedlings have 2 to 4 leaves, transplant them into pots and maintain a temperature of 15-20°C. After the last frost (around April 15), you can plant the seedlings in the ground, spaced 50 x 80 cm apart. If you're located in the northern Loire, growing tomatoes under glass is ideal, though outdoor cultivation is also possible as long as the weather is dry, and the soil is well-ventilated.

Pruning and Support

For tomatoes with indeterminate growth like Marmande, it's important to prune the shoots in the leaf axils to promote the formation of high-quality fruits rather than an overabundance of less flavorful tomatoes. For determinate or bush tomatoes, pruning isn't necessary, but you can use mulch and guide the plants as they grow.

Care and Disease Prevention for Marmande Tomatoes

Tomatoes need a lot of heat and are very hungry for organic matter, particularly potassium. When planting, bury the majority of the stem in the soil to encourage root development.

In cooler regions, it's recommended to lightly prune the plants to prevent the leaves from dragging on the ground.

Be sure to water regularly, but avoid wetting the leaves, as tomatoes are highly susceptible to mildew.

For preventive measures, you can spray the plants regularly with horsetail extract or nettle tea to strengthen the plants against fungal diseases. You can also use seaweed powder (lithothamnium) to promote plant health.

Another excellent option is Pur'Mel 3 plant food, which combines the effectiveness of horsetail, nettle, and comfrey. Dilute it with 10% water and spray the leaves every two weeks for prevention. For mildew infestations, dilute it with 30% water and spray the leaves twice a week until the disease is no longer visible.

Harvesting the Marmande Tomato

A ripe Marmande tomato easily falls off the plant. Harvest times vary based on the variety: early varieties are harvested about 2 months after planting, mid-season varieties after approximately 2.5 months, and late varieties around 3 months.

Health Benefits of the Marmande Tomato

The Marmande Tomato is packed with nutrients, such as lycopene and vitamin C. Lycopene helps protect the body from UV radiation from the sun, while vitamin C boosts the immune system and aids in the absorption of iron and calcium.

Moreover, Marmande tomatoes are an excellent choice for those managing their blood pressure due to their high potassium content. These tomatoes may also offer heart protection benefits and contribute to better artery health.

Additionally, they are a great low-calorie vegetable, rich in fiber, making them a perfect choice for a slimming diet. They help eliminate bad fats and support a healthy metabolism.