Japanese Black Trifele/truffle Tomato-HEIRLOOM SEEDS- CARIBBEAN GARDEN SEED

Plant the seeds one-quarter inch deep in a moist seed-starting mix. Cover the seed-starting tray with plastic wrap and place in a brightly-lit warm location.
2
Remove the plastic wrap when the first leaves appear from the soil, in 7 to 10 days. Water the tomato seedlings regularly, keep the soil evenly moist. For best results, add water to the bottom of the tray, allowing it to wick up into the soil mixture. Pour off excess water in the tray after 15 to 30 minutes.
Growing “Black Krim”
1
Prepare a garden bed in a sunny, sheltered location, digging 3 inches of compost 9 to 12 inches into the soil.
2
Plant each tomato seedling so that only the top pair of leaves appear above the soil. The stem and leaves buried in the soil will develop roots, making the plant stronger and able to rapidly absorb water and nutrients. Space the seedlings 24 to 36 inches apart.
3
Push a 4- to 6-foot stake into the soil next to each seedling. Tomatoes require staking or a tomato cage so the plants don’t sprawl over the ground, making it difficult to pick the fruits. Tie the tomato’s stem to the stake with soft plant ties or strips of recycled pantyhose as the plant grows.
4
Wind a soaker hose around the tomato plants or install a drip-watering system. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around the tomatoes, but not touching the stems, to help maintain a consistent level of moisture in the soil.
5
Water regularly, as soon as the top inch of the soil is dry. “Black Krim” fruits are prone to cracking if the soil is allowed to dry out, watered, then allowed to dry out again.
6
Fertilize tomatoes weekly throughout the growing season with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, liquid seaweed or compost tea. Always fertilize after watering so the fertilizer doesn’t burn the tomato’s roots.
7
Watch the tomato plants carefully for signs of pests such as the tomato hornworm. Pluck the worms off the tomato plants and drop them into a bucket filled with soapy water to kill them.
8
Harvest “Black Krim” tomatoes when they’re fully ripe, a dark reddish purple or brown and still having dark green around the top, or shoulder, of the tomato.