Grow Tomato San Marzano F1 – The Ultimate Italian Sauce Tomato

Tomato San Marzano F1 is an improved hybrid of the legendary Italian plum tomato, offering higher yields, superior disease resistance, and exceptional flavour. Known for its dense, meaty texture and rich, sweet taste, this variety is perfect for home gardeners looking to recreate authentic Italian sauces, pizza bases, and rich pasta dishes. Unlike standard supermarket varieties, San Marzano F1 delivers gourmet-quality tomatoes that are often found in high-end retailers like M&S and Waitrose, where you might pay between £2.50 and £4 for just two fruits. Now, you can grow your own premium tomatoes at home for a fraction of the cost.

Growing Tomato San Marzano F1

This is an indeterminate (cordon) variety, meaning it produces fruit continuously over the season, rather than all at once, giving you an extended harvest period. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions, with strong, disease-resistant growth.

Sowing and Planting

• Sowing Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Sow 0.5 cm deep in seed compost and keep at a steady temperature of 18–21°C for germination.
• Transplanting: Once seedlings have two true leaves and all risk of frost has passed, harden them off before planting outdoors in well-drained, fertile soil.
• Spacing: Plant 60–90 cm apart, providing plenty of airflow between plants.
• Support: This variety requires staking or caging, as it grows tall and produces a heavy crop.

Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, avoiding waterlogged conditions to prevent Blossom End Rot.
• Feeding: Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every two weeks once flowering begins.
• Pruning: Remove side shoots (suckers) to direct energy into larger, high-quality fruit.
• Mulching: Helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping plants healthy.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Fruits typically ripen 70–80 days after transplanting.
• Signs of Readiness: Harvest when the deep red fruits are firm but slightly yielding to touch.
• Storage: Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature for the best flavour.

Culinary Uses

Tomato San Marzano F1 is renowned for its superior cooking qualities, making it the go-to choice for chefs and home cooks alike.

• Pizza Sauce: Creates an authentic smooth, rich tomato base without the excess water found in regular varieties.
• Pasta Sauces: Cooks down beautifully, delivering a deep, concentrated flavour.
• Canning & Preserving: Ideal for long-term storage to enjoy throughout the year.
• Salsas & Soups: Adds bold, sweet tomato richness to any dish.

Why Grow Tomato San Marzano F1?

• The Italian Sauce King – Grown for generations in Southern Italy, now perfected for home gardeners.
• Premium Quality – The same type of tomato sold in M&S and Waitrose, but without the hefty price tag.
• Reliable & Productive – Higher yields and resistance to Blossom End Rot make it easier to grow.
• Authentic Flavour – Rich, sweet, and meaty, just as a true sauce tomato should be.