Trois tomates Noire de Crimée entières, une tomate coupée et un tas de graines, sur fond blanc

Tomate Noire de Crimée mûre en gros plan, peau brun pourpre et large collerette verte au pédoncule

Tomate Noire de Crimée coupée en deux sur une planche : chair dense, peu de loges et peu de graines

Plusieurs tomates Noire de Crimée récoltées, calibres et formes côtelées variables d'un fruit à l'autre

Tomate Noire de Crimée à pleine maturité posée sur un rondin, dégradé du vert au pourpre sur les épaules

Illustration de tomates Noire de Crimée sur fond blanc : trois fruits côtelés brun pourpre, une tranche et un tas de graines

Cinq tomates Noire de Crimée posées sur une planche en bois patinée, à côté d'une feuille de basilic

Gros plan d'une tomate Noire de Crimée tranchée dans un panier en osier, chair rose et loges vert sombre

Crimean Black Tomato Seeds

Name: Crimean Black Tomato Seeds
Brand: Univers Aquaponie
Price: 3.9 EUR
Availability: InStock

3,90 €

(20 avis)

A purple heirloom tomato with green shoulders, the Noire de Crimée produces fruits weighing 150 to 500 g, with dense, almost acid-free flesh that is best eaten raw in thick slices.

Packet of 35 organic, open-pollinated seeds, Kokopelli heritage seeds. Sow from February to April, harvest from mid-July to October.

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The summary

What you receive: 35 organic, open-pollinated seeds of Noire de Crimée, a heritage variety distributed by Kokopelli.
Sowing: February to April under cover, at a depth of 5 to 7 mm, between 16 and 25 °C. Germination in 8 to 15 days.
Harvest: approximately 70 to 80 days after transplanting, from mid-July to October depending on sowing date.
The fruit: round and ribbed, 150 to 500 g, green shoulders, dense flesh, mild and low in acidity.
How to choose: this one for eating raw, Jupiter for cooking, Corbarino for nibbles.
How much effort: sturdy staking, a weekly session for tying in, and really consistent watering.

Purple heritage tomato, 35 open-pollinated seeds, greenhouse or aquaponics

Noire de Crimée is a heritage tomato that originated on the shores of the Black Sea, on the Crimean peninsula, and is widely known in the English-speaking world as Black Krim. Its skin turns deep purplish-brown as it ripens, the shoulders stay green, and the dense flesh delivers a flavour that is almost free of acidity, with a slight sweetness and a hint of smokiness. It is a tomato for eating fresh, cut into thick slices.

The seeds in this packet are open-pollinated heritage seeds distributed by the Kokopelli association, which has been sharing traditional, royalty-free varieties since 1999. In practice, the plant you grow will produce seeds identical to those you sowed: you can harvest, dry and resow them year after year, just like the rest of our seeds and sprouting seeds.

Three tomato varieties are grown and eaten in different ways. The Black Krim is grown for eating raw, the Jupiter red tomato is ideal for cooking and preserving, and the Grappoli Corbarino cherry tomato produces large clusters of small fruits. The comparison of the three varieties sets them side by side, covering fruit weight, earliness and intended use.

Sowing, transplanting, growing

Tomatoes are always started in the warmth before being moved to their final position. Allow for two clearly separate stages: a nursery period of seven to eight weeks, then transplanting once all risk of frost has passed. Black Krim is an indeterminate variety: the main stem never stops growing and produces fruit right up to the first cold spells. It therefore needs a sturdy support and regular pruning; left unchecked, it will sprawl, exhaust itself, and produce small fruit. If you are starting in February, read first about setting up an indoor seedling corner: at that time of year, it is light that is lacking before heat.

In the nursery

Sow at 5 mm depth, in a module or seed tray, in a warm spot between 20 and 25 °C. Germination takes 8 to 15 days.

At transplanting

One plant every 60 cm, buried up to the first leaves so that the stem puts out additional roots.

In season

One visit per week to tie in the stem, remove side shoots and check that the soil or grow medium stays moist.

In aquaponics and soilless growing

The tomato is a hungry fruiting plant: it consumes far more nitrogen, potassium and calcium than a lettuce, and will only reach its potential in an already-cycled system where the fish population produces enough nutrients. In a bed that has just been set up, plants will struggle, and the variety is not to blame, but rather the nitrogen cycle, which is not yet established. Young foliage yellowing between the veins most often indicates an iron deficiency, which is common above pH 7. Aim for a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and water that does not drop below 15 °C for any prolonged period.

Plan ahead before ordering

An adult Noire de Crimée grows to 1.80 m and needs 60 cm of floor space. Check three things before sowing: the available height in your greenhouse or shelter, a fixing point for a stake or training string, and a warm spot at 20 °C in February for germination. As for growing media, a bed of clay pebbles or coco fibre works well; deep water culture does not, it cannot support the weight of the plant or the root volume.

Harvest runs from mid-July through to October. A fruit is ready when the skin has darkened and the flesh gives slightly under the thumb, there is no need to wait for an even colour: the green shoulders are characteristic of the variety and do not mean the tomato is unripe. On a well-trained plant, whether grown in open ground or in a greenhouse, yields of 3 to 6 kg per plant over the whole season are commonplace.

Saving your own seeds

To save your seeds, scoop the pulp from a fully ripe, healthy fruit and leave it to ferment for two to three days in a small amount of water, then rinse and dry the seeds flat in the shade. Stored dry, cool, and away from light in an airtight container or paper envelope, they will remain viable for 4 to 6 years. Write the year on the packet: it is the only way to know, three winters later, whether you need to sow more densely.

Common mistakes to avoid

Irregular watering is the main pitfall with this variety: several strains of Black Krim are prone to stem-end cracking, and a heavy watering after a dry spell will literally split the skin. Water little but often, at the base and never over the foliage. The second mistake is sowing too early without sufficient light: a seedling started in January on a windowsill will etiolate, become spindly, and never recover, as our guide on germination failures explains in detail. The third mistake is putting plants outside before the last frosts, around mid-May in mainland France.

Technical specifications

The variety

Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicumKnown as Black Krim in the English-speaking world
Variety type: Heritage, traditional, non-hybridReproducible and royalty-free
Postage: UndeterminedThe stem keeps growing until the first frosts
Adult height: 1.20 to 1.80 mA cane or training twine is essential
Fruit weight: 150 to 500 gRound, ribbed fruit — one or two slices is enough
Colour at maturity: Purple-brown, green shouldersGreen shoulders are not a sign of under-ripeness
Observed yield: 3 to 6 kg per plantApproximate figure over the season, well-managed plant, not guaranteed
Cycle: 69 to 80 daysFrom transplanting to first harvest. Growing guide, unpublished by Kokopelli

The sachet

Number of seeds: 35Number stated by Kokopelli for reference P7311 — enough to plant around ten specimens.
Seed origin: Association KokopelliOrganic, royalty-free seeds
Treatment: NoneNo GMOs, no coating, no chemical treatment
Storage: 4 to 6 yearsCommon benchmark for tomatoes, stored in a cool, dry place away from light. Kokopelli does not publish a shelf life.

Seedling and cultivation

Seedling period: February to April, under coverA February seedling brings the harvest forward by a month
Seedling depth: 5 to 7 mmCover lightly then firm down
Germination temperature: 16 to 25 °CKokopelli states 16 to 20 °C; between 20 and 25 °C germination is faster and more even.
Germination time: 8 to 15 days
Transplanting: From mid-MayOnce the last frosts have passed
Spacing: 50 to 60 cmKokopelli states 50 cm; allow 60 cm if you want to walk between the plants
Aspect: Full sunA minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day in season
Harvest period: From mid-July to OctoberKokopelli indicates a harvest period from June to October, across all regions

In aquaponics and soilless growing

Water pH: 6.5 to 7.5Balancing fish, bacteria, and plants
Minimum temperature: 15 °CBelow this, growth and fruit set stall
Growing medium: Grow medium bed or large potThe deep water culture raft holds neither the weight nor the roots
System maturity: Minimum 6 weeksWhile the nitrogen cycle establishes itself
Nutritional needs: Nitrogen, potassium, calciumMarkedly higher than those of a lettuce
Pollination: Manual under closed coverVibrate the flower stem once a day during flowering

18 further specifications are available in the detailed view.

In the box

1 resealable paper packet of 35 Black Crimea tomato seeds, harvested from organic farming
1 variety label: botanical name, seedling period and seed harvest year

Kokopelli states 35 seeds for the Noire de Crimée, reference P7311, and publishes a seedling temperature of 16 to 20 °C, sowing depth of 5 to 7 mm and 50 cm between plants. The broader ranges given here are our own growing guidelines. Weight, height, yield, cycle length and shelf life are indicative figures only, not guaranteed, and are based on conditions in metropolitan France.

Compare the three varieties

Our three most popular Kokopelli tomatoes, in the same packet format and the same price range. What differs is the fruit, the maturity time, and the culinary use.

Can't decide between these three varieties? Answer three quick questions and we'll highlight the variety best suited to your situation in the table.

	Maximum fruit weight (g)	Colour at maturity	Best use	Earliness	Spacing between plants (cm)	Variety origin	Seeds per packet (seeds)	Open-pollinated seeds
Recommended Noire de CriméeYour choice	500 g	Purple-brown, green shoulders	Raw, in slices	Mid-season to late	60 cm	Crimée	35 seeds	yes
Rouge JupiterYour choice	200 g	Bright red	Cooking, sauces and preserves	Mid-season	60 cm	France	40 seeds	yes
Cerise Grappoli CorbarinoYour choice	25 g	Red, in clusters	Aperitif, salads and drying	Semi-early	50 cm	Italie	40 seeds	yes

Noire de CriméeRecommended

The fruit

Maximum fruit weight (g)500 g

Colour at maturityPurple-brown, green shoulders

Best useRaw, in slices

Cultivation

EarlinessMid-season to late

Spacing between plants (cm)60 cm

Variety originCrimée

The sachet

Seeds per packet (seeds)35 seeds

Open-pollinated seedsyes

Rouge Jupiter

The fruit

Maximum fruit weight (g)200 g

Colour at maturityBright red

Best useCooking, sauces and preserves

Cultivation

EarlinessMid-season

Spacing between plants (cm)60 cm

Variety originFrance

The sachet

Seeds per packet (seeds)40 seeds

Open-pollinated seedsyes

Cerise Grappoli Corbarino

The fruit

Maximum fruit weight (g)25 g

Colour at maturityRed, in clusters

Best useAperitif, salads and drying

Cultivation

EarlinessSemi-early

Spacing between plants (cm)50 cm

Variety originItalie

The sachet

Seeds per packet (seeds)40 seeds

Open-pollinated seedsyes

The seed count is the number stated by the supplier for each packet and may vary from one batch to another. All three varieties have their own page in the shop, with their growing calendar. Weights and maturity times are typical values recorded in cultivation, not guaranteed figures.

Product videos

The Black Crimea tomato, a variety overview

Everything you need to know about the Black Crimea tomato

Successfully sowing tomatoes, then transplanting

Potting on tomato seedlings: when and how

Estimate your
delivery time

A packet of seeds ships as a small parcel, so it can be combined with the rest of your order at no extra cost. The exact amount is calculated at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

15 questions

6 key questions, 15 in the detailed view

When and how do you sow Black Crimea tomato seeds?

Sow under cover between February and April, in modules or seed trays.
Push the seed down 5 to 7 mm, cover lightly, and firm down.
Maintain 20 to 25 °C until germination, with light as soon as the seedlings emerge.
Pot on into individual modules once the first two true leaves appear.
Plant out from mid-May onwards, once the risk of frost has passed, spacing plants 50 to 60 cm apart.

A February sowing yields the first tomatoes around mid-July; an April sowing around the end of August. Our guide to successful spring seedlings covers the transition from propagator to growing bed in detail.

Black Crimea, Jupiter or cherry tomato: which one to choose?

Variety	Fruit weight	Best use
Noire de Crimée	jusqu'à 500 g	Large fruits, best eaten raw
Rouge Jupiter	150 à 200 g	Versatile, sauces and preserves
Cerise Grappoli Corbarino	petits fruits	Cluster-grown, semi-early, great for snacking

The comparison tool on the product page puts them side by side and walks you through three questions.

Is the Black Crimea suitable for aquaponics?

Yes, its vigour makes it a good candidate, provided two conditions are met.

A fully cycled system, up and running for at least six weeks, with enough fish to meet the demands of a fruiting plant. These are considerably higher than those of a lettuce, and until the nitrogen cycle is established, the plant will yellow and stall.

A deep growing bed, either a clay pebbles-filled bed or a large pot. A deep water culture raft cannot support the weight of a 1.80 m plant, nor the volume of its root system.

What are the key figures for the Black Crimea tomato?

The packet and sowing.

35seeds per packet

5 à 7 mmsowing depth

16 à 25 °Cgermination temperature

8 à 15 jemergence

The plant and its fruit.

69 à 80 jfrom transplanting to harvest

50 à 60 cmspacing

1,20 à 1,80 mmature height

150 à 500 gfruit weight

3 à 6 kgyield per plant

6,5 à 7,5pH in aquaponics

The seed count is as stated by Kokopelli. All other figures are indicative values observed in cultivation, not guarantees.

Why do my Noire de Crimée tomatoes split before harvest?

The cause is almost always a sudden surge in watering, a heavy application of water after several dry days: the flesh swells faster than the skin can stretch, and the fruit splits.

This is the most common fault of the variety: several strains show peduncular cracking. Water little but often, mulch around the base, and pick as soon as the fruit gives under your thumb rather than waiting.

How many plants can you get from a packet of 35 seeds?

How long do tomato seeds take to germinate?

Should Noire de Crimée plants be pruned and staked?

Yes, the variety is indeterminate: the main stem grows throughout the season and commonly reaches 1.80 m.

On transplanting day, put a sturdy stake or training twine in place. Three weeks later, it would be going through an already established root system.
Every week, remove the side shoots from the leaf axils and thin out the foliage.
Towards the end of August, pinch out the main stem above the last set truss.

My tomatoes are still green on top — are they ripe?

Can you save your own seeds for subsequent seedlings?

How long does an unopened seed packet keep?

4 to 6 years is the commonly cited benchmark for tomato seed. Three conditions matter.

Humidity: keep it dry, never in a damp room
Temperature: keep it cool — an airtight container in a cupboard is ideal
Light: keep it in the dark

Beyond this period, simply sow more densely to compensate for the reduced germination rate.

Kokopelli does not publish a shelf life on this packet. The 4 to 6 years is a general rule of thumb, not a commitment from the producer.

Do you need to hand-pollinate in a greenhouse?

What does Noire de Crimée taste like and how do you cook it?

What to companion plant with tomato plants in the kitchen garden?

Who is Kokopelli and what does "heritage seed" mean?

Kokopelli is a French association founded in 1999, based in Ariège and dedicated to preserving cultivated biodiversity. It lists over 2,500 open-pollinated, seed-saving varieties in its catalogue, of which around 1,800 are available at any one time, as organic seed, free from GMOs and chemical treatments.

A heritage seed is reproducible: unlike an F1 hybrid, the seed from your own harvest will produce the same variety again.

Growing calendar

Guidelines for mainland France, to be shifted by approximately two weeks depending on your region. Kokopelli recommends seedling at 16 to 20 °C, 5 to 7 mm deep, with 50 cm between plants.

Stage
Seedling under cover3 months	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover in February	Seedling under cover in March	Seedling under cover in April	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no	Seedling under cover: no
Transplanting2 months	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting in May	Transplanting in June	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no	Transplanting: no
Training and pruning4 months	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning in June	Training and pruning in July	Training and pruning in August	Training and pruning in September	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no	Training and pruning: no
Harvest4 months	Harvest: no	Harvest: no	Harvest: no	Harvest: no	Harvest: no	Harvest: no	Harvest in July	Harvest in August	Harvest in September	Harvest in October	Harvest: no	Harvest: no

KeySeedling under coverTransplantingTraining and pruningHarvest

This month September

Growing guidance

Seedling depth: 5 to 7 mmCover lightly then firm down, without burying any deeper
Germination temperature: 16 à 25 °CKokopelli states 16 to 20 °C; 20 to 25 °C gives the fastest germination
Germination time: 8 to 15 days
From transplanting to harvest: 69 à 80 joursMid-season to late variety. Growing guide, not published by Kokopelli
Spacing: 50 à 60 cmBetween plants, whether in rows or in troughs
Adult height: 1,20 à 1,80 mIndeterminate habit: the stem won't stop on its own
Fruit weight: 150 à 500 g
Yield per plant: 3 to 6 kgApproximate figure over the entire season, well-managed plant
Aspect: Full sunA minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day in season
Growing temperature: Above 15 °CBelow this, growth and fruit set come to a halt
pH in aquaponics: 6,5 à 7,5The usual balance between fish, bacteria and plants
Seed storage: 4 à 6 ansCommon guideline for tomatoes: store dry, cool, and away from light

What you need to know

Fruit splitting is the most common problem with this variety, and it is almost always caused by irregular watering. A heavy watering after several dry days causes the flesh to swell faster than the skin can stretch, and the fruit cracks. Water little, but often.
Bury the plant up to its first leaves at transplanting. The buried stem produces new roots along its entire length, giving a noticeably more anchored plant that is far more drought-resistant for the rest of the season.
Place the stake on the day of transplanting, not three weeks later. Pushed in late, it cuts through the root system already in place and causes a visible check in growth.
In a greenhouse or indoors, flowers won't set fruit on their own: there's no wind or bumblebee to release the pollen. A daily vibration of the flower stem with your fingertip is enough to turn the blossom into fruit.
In aquaponics, do not add tomatoes to a system that is less than six weeks old. A fruiting plant consumes far more than a lettuce, and until the nitrogen cycle is established, it will yellow and stall regardless of the variety.
The green shoulders are not a sign of under-ripeness — they are the variety's trademark. Waiting for them to turn red means harvesting fruit that is overripe and will deteriorate within two days.
Pinch out the main stem at the end of August, just above the last set fruit truss. The plant then stops investing in new shoots that won't have time to crop, and concentrates everything on the fruit already in place.
A layer of mulch around the base solves two problems at once: it evens out soil moisture — thereby reducing splitting — and it stops soil splashing onto the lower foliage, which is the main entry point for fungal disease.

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Crimean Black Tomato Seeds

The summary