- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 70–90 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Indeterminate, Slicing Tomato (Learn more)
Native: Andes
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: Vines up to 6' or longer
Variety Info: 10–12 oz. rounded, slightly flattened fruits. Color depends on weather conditions; tomatoes will be near black when ripening in warm weather. In cooler climates, fruit will be dusky pink to burgundy/brown with green shoulders.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For mild climates only: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting. Transplant when air temperature is 45°F or warmer, usually 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 24"–36"
Row Spacing: 36"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 24"–36"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Black Krim' may be harvested when they are still half green and firm.
- Neil H.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/20/25Amazing all purpose tomato
We planted these in our straw bale garden. They grey great vines which have produced a fantastic harvest. The fruits are large, meaty and some of the tastiest tomatoes we have ever grown.
Eating them with olive oil and balsamic with a touch of salt is heavenly. Eating them any way, great BUT…
Who would have thought them great sauce tomatoes? They ARE! They make a perfect sauce, sweet and meaty.
These had one row this year and may earn two rows next year. 5 star tomato!
Which best describes you as a gardener? ProfessionalBIBotanical Interests9/22/25Hey Neil H.,
What a fantastic review! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your Black Krim Pole Tomatoes have delivered such an incredible harvest and become such a standout variety in your straw bale garden!
Your growing experience sounds like it went absolutely perfectly - those vigorous vines really show how happy these tomatoes are in your setup! Straw bale gardening can be such a rewarding approach, and it's clear these Black Krims have really thrived in that environment. The fact that you're getting those large, meaty fruits with such amazing flavor really highlights why this heirloom variety has such a devoted following.
We love that you're experiencing the full range of what makes Black Krims so special! That simple preparation with olive oil, balsamic, and salt really lets their complex, rich flavor shine through - there's nothing quite like a perfectly ripe Black Krim eaten fresh like that. But what an awesome discovery about their sauce-making potential! You're absolutely right - so many people think of them only as slicing tomatoes, but those meaty walls and that sweet, complex flavor profile make them incredible for sauce too. It's like getting two amazing tomato varieties in one!
The fact that they might earn a second row next year is such high praise! Going from one row to potentially two really shows how much these Black Krims have impressed you with both their growing performance and that fantastic versatility in the kitchen.
Your experience will be so helpful for other gardeners who are looking for a tomato that can truly do it all!
Thank you so much for sharing such an enthusiastic review about both the growing success and culinary results!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Suzanne J.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/7/255 Stars
Only planted the cherry tomatoes, but the sprouted quickly. It is too early to plant the rest of the seeds where we live. Very happy with the variety and selection offered.
- Demchenko T.Rated 5 out of 5 stars1/5/255 Stars
Hello! I live in Dnipro, Ukraine (zone 5b).
I get a packet of "Black Krim" seeds from your store. I started to grow well, and I hope that good tomatoes will grow.
But I was deeply surprised to find that the text on the package states "Crimea is part of Russia". But Crimea is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, though it is temporarily occupied by Russian forces.
Such an error in the description is unacceptable as it violates internationally recognized borders and disregards the current reality. I urge you to address this issue and correct the description to prevent further misunderstandings. This is important both for your customers and your store's reputation.
Thank you for your understanding.
- Victoria A.Rated 5 out of 5 stars6/13/245 Stars
Black Krim was the strongest/healthiest and most productive plant of the tomato varieties I've ever grown here in zone 9B, CA with 100+ degrees through much of summer. Grew it three years in a row with this seed packet and it was always incredibly impressive. It had a woody stem larger than my thumb! It gave green tomatoes into November and was the first to flower while still under grow lights.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Ross G.Rated 2 out of 5 stars5/31/242 Stars
Unfortunately, I had very poor germination with the Black Krim tomatoes, which I was excited to try after hearing so much about them. This year I started 9 different varieties, two of which I did two separate trials each: 1 of seeds that I save from last year, and 1 from a packet from 2023. I used the same method for all, moist paper towel in zip loc bags taped to a sunny window. This method works quite well, and I've had great success, as the seeds stay moist, and the sun gives it the warmth they need to reach 70-80+ degrees for good germination. Unfortunately, these Black Krim just did not germinate very well - only about 1 in 3 germinated, and the ones that did had fairly poor vigor. As of this writing on May 31, I still have one that I have potted up, which is holding on but struggling a bit. I'm hopeful that it will make it, however. The best performers I had were by far seeds that I saved from last year (pink and sunrise bumble bee varieties). Compared to seeds that I saved, the Black Krim just did not perform well, but I would like to try other companies' seeds for a comparison.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/31/24Hey Ross,
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance and address any concerns you may have. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️