Black Krim

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Black Krim to a garden.

Sink your spoon into the first glossy slice of Black Krim—its smoky, wine-dark flesh carries a rich, sweet-tang balance with a hint of old-world depth.

Beefsteak-sized fruits are wonderfully meaty and juicy, with a slightly irregular, heirloom charm and a tender, satin-like texture that shines in the garden. Grow Black Krim for bold, showy summer harvests that beg to be showcased in fresh salads, vibrant sauces, and savory roasting-style preparations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Black Krim Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	8

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Krim’s beefsteak flesh is built for spoons and serious slicing: meaty, satin-textured, and smoky-wine tang stays coherent instead of turning watery. Use it where you want concentration—broil/roast briefly or build a chunky sauce—so the sweet-sour balance reads on the palate.

Best Uses

thick slices with flaky salt for a spoon-ready summer bite
high-heat quick roast (or broiler) to concentrate the sweet-tang without collapsing
thick chunked tomato sauce where the flesh stays intact
salad with minimal dressing so its smoky edge doesn’t get drowned out

Flavor Profile

smoky, wine-dark tang meaty, juicy beefsteak texture sweet front with a lingering savory edge satin-smooth flesh that slices cleanly

Kitchen Pairings

aged balsamic garlic extra-virgin olive oil red onion fresh mozzarella charred bread

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Black Krim tomato leaves turning yellow with dark spots, and what should I do?

Yellowing with dark, spreading leaf spots is often early blight or Septoria, which flares in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard the affected lower leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not on foliage). If it keeps progressing, spray an approved tomato fungicide and repeat according to the label, starting as soon as you see spots (before they reach the canopy).

How often should I water Black Krim tomatoes during the main growing phase (from flowering through fruit set)?

Water deeply about 2–3 times per week during flowering and fruit set, aiming for consistently moist (not soggy) soil. The target is even moisture: let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly, then water until the root zone is soaked. Irregular watering can trigger cracking and blossom-end rot, so avoid quick, daily splashes and instead use slower, thorough watering.

How can I tell when Black Krim tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruits are fully colored (deep red to mahogany with a pinkish marbling near the shoulders), and they yield slightly to gentle pressure. For Black Krim, wait until they’re not mostly green—at about 85 days you should see dependable ripening, but pick as soon as they feel ripe because flavor improves as they fully color. Avoid leaving them to over-ripen on the vine during hot, wet spells, which increases cracking and disease risk.