Marglobe
Solanum lycopersicum 'Marglobe'
Developed by the USDA in the 1920s, this reliable determinate variety was bred specifically for disease resistance and consistent production. A favorite among home canners and gardeners who want dependable, crack-resistant red tomatoes with classic flavor and the convenience of concentrated harvest timing.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Marglobe in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Marglobe · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store freshly harvested Marglobe tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain peak flavor—refrigeration dulls their classic balanced taste. For longer fresh storage, place nearly-ripe tomatoes in a single layer in a cool (55-60°F), humid location where they'll keep for 1-2 weeks.
Marglobe's meaty texture and low water content make it exceptional for canning whole, crushed, or as sauce. The variety's natural acidity level is perfect for safe water-bath canning following USDA guidelines. For freezing, blanch and peel whole tomatoes, or process into sauce first—the thick flesh maintains better texture than high-water varieties.
Dehydrating works well with Marglobe's dense flesh; slice ¼ inch thick and dry at 135°F until leathery. The concentrated flavor makes excellent tomato powder when fully dried and ground. Many canners specifically grow this variety for making paste since the low moisture content reduces cooking time significantly.
History & Origin
Marglobe was developed in 1925 by Dr. Frederick Pritchard at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in cooperation with Livingston Seed Company. The name combines 'Marvel' and 'Globe,' reflecting the breeding goal of creating a perfectly round, disease-resistant tomato that would revolutionize commercial production.
Dr. Pritchard created Marglobe by crossing the 'Marvel' variety (known for disease resistance) with 'Globe' (prized for its uniform, round shape). This deliberate hybridization addressed the major problems plaguing 1920s tomato production: fusarium wilt and nailhead spot diseases that were devastating crops nationwide.
The variety quickly became the backbone of American tomato production through the 1940s and 1950s, particularly in the Southeast where disease pressure was highest. Home canners embraced Marglobe for Victory Gardens during World War II because of its reliable production and excellent processing qualities. Today, it's considered an heirloom variety, representing a crucial milestone in the development of disease-resistant vegetables and demonstrating early scientific plant breeding success that saved the American tomato industry.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients due to different root depths
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor through sulfur compounds
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and benefits from tomato's shade during hot weather
Oregano
Repels many insects and may enhance tomato flavor and growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in tomatoes
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Brassicas
Stunts tomato growth and both plants compete for similar soil nutrients
Corn
Both are susceptible to corn earworm, creating shared pest problems
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to fusarium wilt and nailhead spot. Crack resistant.
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, tomato fruitworm, flea beetles
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, bacterial spot, verticillium wilt