Tomato Principe Borghese - Linda's Original Seeds
- Brand: Linda's Original Seeds
- Product Code: 103196359
- Availability: 25
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R40.00
Tomato Principe Borghese Seeds by Linda’s Original Seeds | An authentic Italian heirloom.
Grow classic Italian flavour at home with Tomato Principe Borghese seeds from Linda’s Original Seeds. This prized heirloom variety (also known as Prince Borghese) produces abundant clusters of small, plum- or egg-shaped red tomatoes with thick, meaty flesh, low moisture content, and intense tomato flavour. Ideal for sun-drying, sauces, salads, roasting, and preserving.
Traditionally grown in Italy for “pomodori secchi” (sun-dried tomatoes), these fruits dry evenly and retain excellent flavour and nutrition. Hang fruit clusters against a hot sunny wall to dry naturally. The plants are productive, suitable for open ground or balcony containers (minimum 55 cm depth and diameter recommended), and reach about 1.2 m tall.
Key growing details (from the product):
- Season: Spring / Summer
- Full sun
- Plant spacing: 45–60 cm
- Row spacing: 50–60 cm
- Seed depth: 1 cm
- Harvest: 16–20 weeks
- Growing tip: Germinate in seed trays with organic seedling mix. Keep warm and moist. Transplant into rich organic soil at 5–7 cm high. Water regularly. This indeterminate (or semi-determinate) variety benefits from staking.
Best time to grow Principe Borghese tomatoes in South Africa:
Sow in spring to early summer after the last frost risk has passed and soil has warmed (ideally night temperatures consistently above ~10–12°C).
- Start seeds indoors in trays from late August / early September (or mid-winter to late winter in milder areas) for an earlier harvest.
- Transplant outdoors from September to November (or into early December in warmer regions), depending on your local climate.
- Inland / Highveld (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein): August–November.
- Coastal / milder areas (Cape Town, Durban): July/August–October.
- Second sowing possible in warmer zones around November–January for continuous supply.
Tomatoes need full sun (6–8+ hours), fertile well-drained soil rich in organic matter (pH ideally 6.0–6.8), consistent watering at the base (avoid wet foliage), and protection from frost. Harvest begins roughly 80–100+ days from transplant in favourable conditions. Perfect for South African summer gardens, including drier inland regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Principe Borghese tomato best used for?
Principe Borghese is the classic Italian heirloom variety grown specifically for sun-drying. The small, meaty, low-moisture fruits dry evenly and hold flavour exceptionally well. They are also excellent eaten fresh in salads, used in sauces, roasted, or preserved in oil. - When is the best time to plant Tomato Principe Borghese seeds in South Africa?
The best time is spring to early summer after frost risk has passed. Start seeds indoors from late August/early September and transplant outdoors September–November (adjust by region: earlier on the coast, slightly later inland). A second sowing is possible in warmer areas around November–January. - How do I grow Principe Borghese tomatoes from seed?
Sow seeds 1 cm deep in trays filled with organic seedling mix. Keep warm and moist until germination. Transplant seedlings 5–7 cm tall into rich organic soil in full sun, spacing plants 45–60 cm apart. Stake the plants (they grow to about 1.2 m), water regularly at the base, and harvest in 16–20 weeks. - Is Principe Borghese suitable for container or balcony growing?
Yes. Use a pot at least 55 cm in depth and diameter (or larger). Provide full sun, rich soil, regular watering, and staking or support. It performs well in containers and produces good yields of the small, flavourful fruits ideal for drying or fresh use. - How long does it take to harvest Principe Borghese tomatoes?
Expect harvest in 16–20 weeks from sowing under good conditions (or roughly 80–100 days from transplant). The plants produce abundant clusters of small red plum-shaped tomatoes over the season.
