Black Sea Man

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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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

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Black Sea Man 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	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.