Black Sea Man

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your spoon into the velvety, smoky sweetness of Black Sea Man—an heirloom tomato with a dramatic, near-black mahogany skin that ripens to a rich, wine-dark glow.

The flesh is dense and succulent, with a balanced, tangy depth and a gentle, lingering savor that shines in fresh salads and sliced platters. Grow it for standout color and bold flavor in sauces, roasted dishes, and slow-simmered preserves where its dark tones turn the pot into a gallery.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
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 Sea Man brings a dense, pulp-forward bite and a smoky, wine-dark savor that holds up under heat without turning watery. It’s the tomato you reach for when you want color and concentration—roast it or simmer it until it turns spoon-thick, then let the tang and umami do the talking.

Best Uses

thick slices on sourdough with flaky salt—won’t collapse into a watery smear
roasting until the flesh tightens and caramelizes for a spoonable, concentrated side
slow-simmered tomato sauce where the dark fruit keeps a savory edge
dark, stirred preserves (or chutney-style) that benefit from long reduction

Flavor Profile

smoky sweetness tangy, balanced acidity dense, jammy flesh with juicy lift wine-dark umami savor

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil aged balsamic vinegar black pepper mozzarella burrata

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) like Black Sea Man, and what can I do early?

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are especially prone to early blight, which shows as dark, concentric spots on older leaves and can quickly spread. Remove and discard infected lower leaves as soon as spots appear, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and improve airflow by keeping plants off the ground and spaced. If new leaf infection continues, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for tomatoes and reapply according to the label interval.

How often should I water during the main growing phase for Black Sea Man tomatoes?

During the main fruiting phase, water deeply to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Check moisture by feel 2–4 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water, and if it’s still moist, wait. Uneven watering can trigger cracking and blossom-end rot, so don’t let the soil swing between dry and saturated.

How do I know when Black Sea Man (85-day tomato) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and develop mature color for the variety (deep, rich red-to-burgundy tones) with a slight give when gently squeezed. Pick at first full ripeness for best flavor and to keep the plant setting more fruit; don’t wait for over-softening. If nights are cool and growth slows, rely on color and ease of separation from the stem rather than calendar alone.