Black Vernissage

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Velvety, inky-sweet flavor leads the way with Black Vernissage cherry tomatoes—fruits that ripen to a dramatic mahogany-black with a subtle, smoky depth.

Bite into a firm, juicy pop with a glossy skin and a balanced, garden-fresh sweetness that shines in every bowl. Ideal for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and striking garnishes, these 60-day performers bring gourmet color and rich taste to the patio garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Black Vernissage

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Black Vernissage 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	Apr 13th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – 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	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Vernissage is built for eating cold and fast: the firm, juicy pop and glossy skin make it keep its structure even when you toss it with a light vinaigrette. That smoky-sweet edge loves clean partners like citrus and olive oil—skip heavy cream sauces that would mute the berry-dark flavor.

Best Uses

raw snacking and grazing bowls where the smoky sweetness can stay unmasked
high-contrast salads (cut or halved) that need tomatoes to hold their shape
quick olive-oil “toss and serve” platters for a glossy, lightly dressed burst
striking garnish for roasted or grilled fish where their sweetness plays off char

Flavor Profile

velvety, inky-sweet tomato flavor firm, juicy bite with a glossy snap of skin subtle smoky depth balanced sweetness with a clean garden-fresh finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest extra-virgin olive oil balsamic vinegar mozzarella tuna shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew on Black Vernissage (60-day) during warm, humid spells?

Check leaves weekly for a pale gray-white powder that starts on lower foliage and spreads upward on Black Vernissage. Remove and trash the worst affected leaves early, then water only at the soil line (not on leaves) and increase airflow around plants. If it keeps recurring, spray with a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product, following the label’s reapplication schedule.

How often should I water Black Vernissage during the main growing phase to prevent stress?

From about transplanting/sprout establishment through the next 4–5 weeks, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly before watering again. In full sun, that usually means watering every 2–3 days, but increase to daily during hot, windy weather. Stop frequent light watering once plants set up and instead water deeper to encourage steady growth.

When is Black Vernissage ready to harvest, and what signs should I look for?

Harvest at about 60 days when bulbs/heads reach their stated size for your variety and feel firm with a smooth, well-formed skin. Check by gently lifting one plant—ready roots/bulbs should be fully developed, not soft or hollow. For best quality, harvest on a dry day and avoid pulling if the stems are still loose or the skin hasn’t tightened.