Shortly after my recent posting about tips for starting seeds indoors for the summer garden, I received the 2018 media kit from one of my favorite online (and in-store) seed companies, Renee’s Garden. In it was a sample of one of those crops that folks get a little too eager to sow indoors too soon, the ever-popular heirloom tomato. Specifically, the variety from Renee’s is called Tasmanian Chocolate.

I’ve been a long-time Renee’s customer. I love trying out some of the dozen or so new varieties of veggies the company introduces each year. Typically I stick with growing the seeds that I can sow directly into the garden. For example, their incredible offerings in the lettuce, kale, beet, chard and bean categories. Tasmanian Chocolate will be the first tomato variety of theirs that I will attempt to grow. I’m excited to give not just tomatoes a try, but this variety in particular.

Tasmanian Chocolate’s Small Size

According to the media kit, Tasmanian Chocolate is an heirloom variety that is appropriately sized for growing in containers. After all, the words “heirloom tomato” and “container” aren’t often associated with one another. While Tasmanian Chocolate is a vigorous grower, it tops out at only about 3-3.5 ft. tall, a totally appropriate size for growing in pots on a patio or deck. It’s also a size that will work well in small gardens—that’s one of the reasons I’m super-excited to give this variety a try.

Size & Color

Don’t let its small stature lead you to think it doesn’t have a big harvest. Tasmanian Chocolate produces loads of slightly striped darker red (they’re calling it mahogany) and orange fruits. As for size, Renee herself told me that Tasmanian Chocolate produces medium- to large-sized tomatoes that aren’t quite as large as a beefsteak tomato. They start producing around mid season, typically ripening in clusters but also sometimes singly. To ensure best ripening make sure the plants have plenty of light—at least 6 hours and definitely more if you can provide it.

Growing In Containers

If you’re growing in containers, use a vessel that is at least 15 inches in diameter and 18 inches tall with a proper drainage hole. Use fresh potting soil to prevent diseases carrying over from previous plants. Pots dry out quickly in hot weather do plan to water every day once plant is a good size. Fertilize every other week with a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Remember, Tasmanian Chocolate is a vigorous grower so one plant per pot should do the trick. It’s wise to add stakes or cages to the pot when the plant is still small. That will help you guide the plant’s growth—and not let its growth overtake your space.