The San Marzano tomato is truly one of the most delicious heirloom tomatoes a gardener can grow. With its rich history, sweet complex flavor, elongated Roman shape, and dense texture, it’s easy to see why the San Marzano has achieved celebrity status among tomato aficionados.
In this detailed guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about growing flavorful San Marzano tomatoes in your own backyard.
An Introduction to the San Marzano Tomato
The San Marzano tomato hails from the Sarno Valley south of Mount Vesuvius near Naples in Italy. It was likely first commercially cultivated in this region known for its fertile volcanic soil.
True San Marzano tomatoes have a distinct long, slim shape with a signature pointed tip. The skin ripens to a deep red, while the flesh inside is juicy and flavorful. The tomatoes grow in clusters on vigorous indeterminate vines reaching heights of over 5 feet tall when supported properly.
When ripe, San Marzano fruits weigh about 3-5 ounces each. They deliver an exceptionally sweet, low-acidity tomato flavor with few seeds. The flesh has a velvety texture perfect for cooking down into rich sauces.
Fast Facts:
- Type: Indeterminate heirloom
- Maturity: 80-90 days from transplant to ripe fruit
- Size: 5-6 feet tall when staked, 4-foot spread
- Yield: Very high, typically 10-20 lbs per plant
- Flavor: Sweet, low acidity, rich umami taste
- Uses: Sauces, soups, stews, fresh eating, canning, freezing
Pros
- Excellent disease resistance
- Very high yields
- Adapts well to various climates
- Rich flavor perfect for sauces and cooking
- Low moisture content great for canning
- A few seeds make smooth sauces
- Can be grown in pots or gardens
- Harvested ripe or green for fried green tomatoes
- Resists cracking with thick skin
Cons
- Needs staking or caging for support
- Susceptible to blossom end rot
- Must be grown from seed each season
- Long growth time before harvest
- Not ideal for fresh slicing
- Require full sun and warm growing season
- Seedlings need to be started indoors in cool climates
- Prone to splitting if over-watered
The History and Origins of the San Marzano Tomato
The exact origins of the San Marzano tomato are uncertain, but there are some fascinating legends surrounding this storied Italian heirloom.
According to folklore, the San Marzano seeds were brought to Naples as a gift from the Viceroyalty of Peru to King Ferdinand IV in the late 18th century. The king then introduced the tomato plants to the fertile volcanic plains at the base of Mount Vesuvius. There the plants thrived in the mineral-rich soil and warm southern climate.
Through generations of cultivation in this unique growing region, the San Marzano developed its signature sweetness and complex flavor profile. It evolved into a product uniquely tied to the Sarno Valley.
Today, EU regulations state that only tomatoes from this area of Italy can be sold commercially as “San Marzano” tomatoes. However, seeds are available worldwide allowing home gardeners to grow this prized heirloom.
The Flavor and Texture of San Marzano Tomatoes
The San Marzano stands out from other paste tomato varieties for its exquisite balance of sweetness, low acidity, and complex umami richness.
Compared to Roma tomatoes, San Marzano’s offers:
- Higher sugar content balancing refreshing acidity
- Intense tomato essence without bitterness or mealiness
- Velvety, almost silky texture
- Very few seeds for a smooth consistency
- Thick flesh ideal for cooking down into sauce
When eaten fresh, San Marzanos delivers a bright, sweet tomato burst with each bite. Their meaty flesh and skin easily slice and hold together well in salads or bruschetta without getting watery.
Whether enjoyed raw or simmered into legendary pizza sauce, the San Marzano tomato satisfies its depths of flavor. There’s a reason it is so prized by Italian chefs!
Why Gardeners Love Growing San Marzano Tomatoes
Passionate home growers and tomato connoisseurs grow San Marzano tomatoes for many reasons:
San Marzanos provides gardeners the chance to cultivate a living Italian heirloom right in their own backyard. Growing these treasured tomatoes connects you to generations of farmers in the Campania region who have prized these fruits for centuries. The heirloom seeds are literally a living museum piece that you can nurture into a bountiful harvest.
In addition to their cultural heritage, San Marzanos simply offers an incredible eating experience thanks to their rich, sweet flavor. No other tomato can match the nuanced taste and silky texture when eaten fresh off the vine on a sunny summer day. Savoring garden-ripened San Marzanos is a singular joy.
Many gardeners also grow San Marzanos specifically for sauce potential. The meaty, low-moisture flesh has an ideal consistency when cooked down into pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or stews. San Marzanos achieve a richness and depth of flavor that you just can’t get from grocery store tomatoes.
Watching the elongated, pointed fruits ripen from green to brilliant red on the vines is a sight to behold. San Marzano tomato plants are attractive and productive, providing color and abundant harvests.
For passionate tomato growers, the chance to preserve San Marzano seeds from season to season is also a powerful motivation. Saving seeds lets you sustain heirlooms and pass them down through generations.
The flavor payoff come harvest time makes the extra effort of nurturing San Marzano vines well worth it for most gardeners. Once you enjoy those homegrown tomatoes, you’ll be hooked!
Growing Flawless San Marzano Tomatoes
While San Marzano tomato plants demand a little extra care compared to some hybrids, home growers willing to put in the effort are rewarded with bountiful yields of flavorful fruits. Here are some tips for success:
Start by sowing seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your expected last spring frost date. Give the seedlings lots of light and grow them on in warm conditions until transplant time. This head start allows plants to become large and sturdy before moving them into the garden.
San Marzanos thrive in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. Select a garden spot that gets plenty of daylight. Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Good drainage is also essential, so amend clay or dense soils with organic matter.
Proper spacing is crucial when transplanting San Marzano seedlings. Allow 36-48 inches between plants and 4-5 feet between rows. Their vigorous indeterminate vines need plenty of room to grow. Installing tomato cages or staking at planting time helps keep plants upright and prevents fruits from touching the soil.
Consistent deep watering is vital for San Marzanos. Supply 1-2 inches of water per week from transplant time onward. Using drip lines or soaker hoses directly at the soil level is ideal. Avoid wetting the leaves, as this can encourage disease. Mulch around plants to conserve moisture.
Feed plants with a quality organic tomato fertilizer every 2-3 weeks after transplanting. Fish emulsion, compost tea, or a mix formulated for tomatoes will provide nutrients to fuel growth and fruit production.
Scout plants frequently for common tomato pests like hornworms, aphids, or flea beetles. Remove by hand or use organic insecticidal soap if populations explode. Diseases like blight can be prevented with crop rotation, spacing, mulch, and watering at the soil level rather than leaves.
Allow San Marzano fruits to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting. The skins will become a rich red color and tomatoes should feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. The flavor is always best when tomatoes ripen naturally outdoors.
How to Use San Marzano tomatoes?
Once your San Marzano tomatoes start ripening, it’s time to enjoy their incredible flavor! Here are some serving ideas:
- Slice fresh for salads, bruschetta, and sandwiches
- Make homemade pizza sauce or pasta gravy
- Stew into a rich tomato sauce or Italian ragù
- Add to soups, stews, and chili for depth of flavor
- Roast or grill halves for caramelized sweetness
- Can or freeze sauce and whole fruits to savor year-round
San Marzanos shine with just a little cooking to concentrate flavors. For the freshest taste, opt for quick sautés, light simmering, or roasting. Their sweetness balances beautifully with herbs and spices in Italian dishes.
Truly, the simplest way to enjoy San Marzanos is by plucking a sun-warmed fruit straight from the vine. This singular garden treat epitomizes the glory of summer’s fleeting bounty!
Where to Buy San Marzanos Tomato Seeds
San Mazzanos tomato seeds are sold by many online seed companies and local garden centers, often as seedlings too. Some reputable sources include:
- Burpee – Carries Celebrity seed packets and plants
- Park Seed – Sells individual seeds or multi-packs
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Offers a dwarf Celebrity variety too
- Territorial Seed – Sells Celebrity seeds and transplants
- Bonnie Plants – For pre-started Celebrity tomato plants.
Conclusion
The San Marzano tomato provides a uniquely amazing eating experience thanks to its exquisite balance of sweetness and tomato richness.
When properly cared for, the vigorous vines reward growers with impressively high yields. The iconic long roma fruits are perfectly designed for cooking down into rich, Italian-inspired sauces. For gardeners passionate about flavorful tomatoes, growing your own San Marzano plants is a must!
