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Growing Marion Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

Once you have selected your high-quality seeds from True Leaf Market, you know you have the best! Sow your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your area's predicted final spring frost. Doing this gives your tomatoes the best chance of thriving in the garden throughout the summer. Use seed-starting trays, minute soil (or another germination mix free of fertilizer), and a humidity dome for the best seed-starting environment. Plant the seeds ¼ inch deep. Use grow lights to give 8-16 hours of light each day as soon as the seeds sprout. Maintain the temperature around 75 F and keep the soil consistently moist.

Once the seedlings have developed true leaves, begin hardening off the seedlings. This should take 1-2 weeks at a minimum. Gradually leave the seedlings outside, exposing them to sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Begin with just an hour each day and slowly lengthen the amount of time outdoors. Do not plant them outside if temperatures are supposed to dip below 50 F. Tomatoes are tropical-weather-loving plants and do not endure freezes well.

When transplanting outdoors, place the plants 2-3 feet apart to ensure optimal air circulation. Plant the seedlings 2/3rd of the way up the plant. Planting this much of the stem might seem strange but it will ultimately encourage lots of root growth. Remove any leaves that might be buried beneath the soil. Add a calcium supplement at the bottom of the hole to reduce blossom end rot. Water each plant deeply at the time of transplantation and begin fertilizing every 2-6 weeks depending on your fertilizer of choice. Always follow fertilizer instructions and be cautious when handling chemicals.

As the seedlings grow, support them with cages or other supports. The indeterminate growth of Marion tomatoes is great for productivity but the vines can begin the droop and let the fruits touch the round which can introduce rot. Prune back unneeded vines and suckers (the little branches that sprout in the crux between two major branches. Mulch around the base of each plant for retain soil moisture.

Harvesting Marion Tomatoes

Marion tomatoes are typically ready for harvest in 78-80 days after transplantation into the garden. After that, they will continue to produce fruit throughout the summer and early fall until the plant is killed by a hard frost. The tomato is ready to harvest when it has developed a deep red, almost black color. Gently twist the fruit off the vine or use a pair of clippers to avoid damaging the plant.

About Marion Tomato Garden Seeds

These seeds will grow into plants that produce deep red, nearly black fruits, known for their sweet and smoky flavor. Similar to the Rutgers variety, but it is a bit quicker to mature and more disease-free, fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot, and crack resistant, sole tolerance to AB, medium-large strong indeterminate vines.

The robust leaves provide good cover for the medium-large smooth dark-scarlet globes. They have a very small blossom end scar.

This wonderfully colored tomato is well-adapted to the Southeast and produces high yields of delicious tomatoes. It is suitable for home or market use.

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system, skin health, and even helps your body absorb iron better. They also have potassium which is important for heart health and maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Lycopene is another heavy hitter in tomatoes. It is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to reducing the risk of various diseases, including cancer!

Marion tomatoes are known for their versatility in the kitchen. They are just as delicious in salads as they are in sauces or on pizza! You simply can’t go wrong.

This variety is considered an heirloom tomato because it’s seeds have been passed down for generations, allowing hundred of people the cherish it’s flavors and appearance

Growing Marion tomatoes is not just about the delicious fruits; it's about the journey from seed to plate. Each year you grow tomatoes you will learn more about how to cultivate these delicious fruits.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"It is easy as a gardener to get stuck in your ways. You know the varieties you like and how to grow them. However, that can be a very limiting point of view. Trying new things, such as a delicious tomato variety, can reinvigorate your love for gardening. As they say, variety is the spice of life. And, it is true! You never know, you might find your new go-to this season, all because you decided to branch out a little bit."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Marion Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 125 mg packet - Approximately 33 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 7,500 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 30,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 120,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Marion Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.