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Solanum lycopersicum
Piennolo Rosso e Giallo del Vesuvio is a wonderous mix of red (rosso) and yellow (giallo) storage paste cherry tomatoes hailing from the volcanic shoulders of Mt. Vesuvius of Campania, Italy. Piennolo means “hanging” in the Neapolitan dialect and these tomatoes are bred to be hung and stored as a cluster for up to six months. Rich and sweet straight out of the fields, but allowing fruit to further cure in storage will concentrate its flavor. Maximum storage will come from healthy plants, blemish free tomatoes and optimal storage conditions so be sure to grade your best tomatoes and store in a cool and dry environment. Ideally, trusses are snipped whole from the vine and hung for optimal storage but we have found that individual tomatoes can be harvested with the calyx (cap) on and gently stored in a single layer for good results. Enjoy eating fresh tomatoes in the winter months with Piennolo!
Growing Instructions:
Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting to the field after chance of last frost. If growing in a greenhouse sow 8 weeks before desired transplant date.
Plant spacing: 18" apart.
Row spacing: 28" to 32" apart
*If planting multiple rows we recommend alternating row spacing at 24 inches and 48 inches. The 24 inch row will be space for a trellis and the 48 inch row will be the walking path. This not only maximizes garden space, but also allows you to trellis two rows of tomatoes on one trellis.
There are many trellising systems and ways of pruning and caring for tomatoes. We encourage you figure out what makes the most sense for you, don't be afraid to experiment. We prefer double leader pruning with an overhead T-post and wire trellis for our field tomatoes.
Give tomatoes plenty of compost at time of planting. We also recommend a fall or spring cover crop of peas or another annual legume that will fix nitrogen for the tomato crop.
Mulching tomatoes is a good idea, however mulching in mid spring will keep soil temperature cooler and may slow growth. Mulching can be done once soil has warmed. Make sure soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. If plant needs a growing boost, water with nitrogen tea or compost tea a few times. If trace minerals are inadequate, sprinkle a small amount of woodash or azomite in each planting hole.
