Paul Robeson Tomato Art Pack Seeds
Paul Robeson was a famous African-American opera singer, linguist, athlete, and civil rights champion who stood up to the infamous McCarthy committee in the 1950s. This Russian tomato was named in his honor. It is spectacular: richly colored, exquisitely flavored, a joy to savor and to share. The gardeners who selected this variety saw potential and nurtured it, with the same reverence that Black artists, activists, and gardeners use to build a bridge toward justice that spans the generations. Indeterminate.
Growing Instructions
Start seeds indoors early, about 10 weeks before last frost. Seeds germinate best at 80 degrees F. Do not over water, and keep temperature warm but not hot to prevent damping off. Transplant outdoors after threat of frost has passed. Provide with proper support. A bit of pruning increases yield of fruit. Do not over water, and water at the base of the plant if possible to help reduce occurrence of disease. Harvest when the main body of the fruit is firm and red-brown, but has a slight give when squeezed. The shoulders of this variety may remain green and hard even when ripe.
| Days to Germination | 5-10 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 80 days from transplant |
| Planting Depth | 1/2" |
| Row Spacing | 36" |
| Plant Spacing | 24" |
| Height at Maturity | 18" |
| Width at Maturity | 48" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun) |
Art Packs
Hudson Valley Seed Co. Art Packs unite practical aspirations in the garden with the universal human desire for beauty, meaning, and joy. Each year, they release a call for art seeking artists to interpret the varieties in their collection, and hundreds of artists apply from across the United States. But there’s a lot more to an Art Pack than the beautiful exterior. Open it up, and a whole seedy world unfolds.
Meet the Makers
Hudson Valley Seed Co is the best source for heirloom and open-pollinated garden seeds and beautiful garden-themed contemporary art. They are a values-driven seed company that practices and celebrates responsible seed production and stewardship. They have our own certified organic farm in upstate New York where they produce much of what they sell.
The folks at Hudson Valley Seed Company are both farmers and storytellers who are committed to growing organically, sourcing locally and sustainably, and preserving crop diversity by selecting unique, rare, and hard-to-find varieties. Every seed in their catalog is open pollinated, many are heirloom and organic, and they are never GMO. They believe that a seed is more than meets the eye: it is a time capsule telling tales of the plants, crops, and people that came before us, and they work with a range of artists as diverse as their seeds to pass those stories down to present and future gardeners.