San Marzano Gigante 3

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sun-warmed, deep-red San Marzano Gigante 3 is a paste tomato with a distinctly silky, meaty interior and an elegant, low-seed count that feels luxurious in the hand.

Its elongated, “plum” shape holds its form beautifully, delivering rich, tangy-sweet flavor with a gentle, classic tomato aroma that lingers on the palate. Grow it for bold sauces and slow-simmered favorites, for roasting-forward flavor, and for preserving when you want that unmistakably concentrated San Marzano character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of San Marzano Gigante 3

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 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

San Marzano Gigante 3’s low-seed, high-meat interior collapses into a silky, spoon-coating sauce that won’t loosen into watery puddles. It’s built for long heat—where its tangy-sweet balance and concentrated flavor stay elegant instead of getting sharp.

Best Uses

slow-simmered marinara with minimal stirring
pizza sauce that stays cohesive (no watery bleed)
thick-strand roasted tomato purée for stirring into beans or rice
cooked canning/preserving for concentrated San Marzano character

Flavor Profile

tangy-sweet tomato acidity silky, meaty flesh low-seed, thick gel mouthfeel classic tomato aroma with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil Parmigiano-Reggiano fresh mozzarella black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) in home gardens, and how do I control it?

A frequent problem is early blight (Alternaria), which shows up as brown, target-like spots on older leaves that spread upward in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected lower leaves immediately, keep the foliage dry by watering at the soil line, and use a labeled fungicide early in the cycle if spots are appearing. Also stake/cage plants so air can circulate—dense growth makes early blight flare quickly.

How often should I water San Marzano-type tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) during the main growing phase?

During active fruiting (roughly from flowering through harvest), water deeply 1–2 times per week so the soil is evenly moist 6–8 in (15–20 cm) down. Aim for about 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and container size; avoid frequent light watering that keeps the root zone shallow. Mulch helps keep moisture steady, which reduces blossom-end rot risk and prevents cracking.

How can I tell when Solanum lycopersicum ‘San Marzano’ type fruit is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is fully colored deep red (or red-orange depending on your patch) and has reached its full size for that variety, typically around 75 days from transplanting. Give a gentle twist—ripe San Marzano tomatoes detach easily from the stem without pulling. If you see green shoulders near the top, leave the fruit a few more days until the color fully extends.