Eventual height & spread
tomato (plum) 'Rio Grande'
plum tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Rio Grande'
- approx 450 seeds
- £3.89
- In stock (delivery within 2-3 working days)
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.99
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free or general purpose compost for pots
- Rate of growth: fast
- Hardiness: frosy tender
Known for its meaty, pear-shaped fruits, tomato 'Rio Grande' is a highly productive plum tomato perfect for cooking, sauces, and purées. This vigorous bush cultivar produces thick-fleshed fruits weighing around 70–80g each, making it a favourite for preserving and culinary use.
With excellent disease resistance and low maintenance requirements, it’s a great choice for beginner gardeners. Grow it in full sun, either outdoors or in a greenhouse, for a reliable and abundant harvest of flavour-packed tomatoes throughout the season.
With excellent disease resistance and low maintenance requirements, it’s a great choice for beginner gardeners. Grow it in full sun, either outdoors or in a greenhouse, for a reliable and abundant harvest of flavour-packed tomatoes throughout the season.
Support plants as they grow by tying the main stem to canes or string, and regularly pinch out side-shoots to focus energy into fruiting. Keep soil consistently moist and feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser once flowers appear.
Towards the end of the season, to help ripen any remaining fruit, lift the plants off supports and lay them flat in a sunny, sheltered spot, ideally under a cloche to retain warmth.
Towards the end of the season, to help ripen any remaining fruit, lift the plants off supports and lay them flat in a sunny, sheltered spot, ideally under a cloche to retain warmth.
From February to May, sow 1cm deep in trays or two seeds per pot selecting the strongest seedling on germination. This takes one to two weeks and is best done at 64°F (18°C), ideally in a heated propagator, or covered with a clear plastic bag and placed on a warm windowsill. Use multi-purpose compost, to cover seeds.
Plant out in a greenhouse from March or outside once the risk of frost has passed.
Plant out in a greenhouse from March or outside once the risk of frost has passed.
