Patio
Solanum melongena
Start harvesting the abundant fruits when they are only 3-4" long by 3/4-1" diameter. The compact 24-36" plants produce tender dark purple fruit in clusters for easy harvesting. Hansel is non-bitter and perfect for grilling or slicing thinly onto pizza. Green calyx. AAS Winner.
Harvest
55d
Days to harvest
Sun
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Zones
9–12
USDA hardiness
Height
2-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Patio in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Patio · Zones 9–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | April – June |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
The fruit is a berry that is egg-shaped, smooth and has glossy skin. The fruit may measure 4 to 8 inches long. It ranges in color from green to white, to purple-black when immature and when it should be eaten. As the fruit matures it gets stringy and bitter. Fruit contains numerous small, flat, pale yellow to brown seeds.
Color: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe Patio tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for best flavor, as refrigeration diminishes taste. For longer storage, refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Arrange stem-side up to prevent bruising and maintain firmness.
Freeze whole tomatoes by removing cores and placing in freezer bags – skins slip off easily when thawed for cooking. Dice and freeze in ice cube trays for portion control. The balanced flavor profile makes Patio tomatoes excellent for canning as sauce or paste using standard water bath canning methods.
For drying, slice ¼-inch thick and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery. Properly dried tomatoes store in airtight containers for 6-8 months. Green tomatoes can be wrapped individually in newspaper and stored in cool, dark places to ripen gradually over several weeks.
History & Origin
Origin: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heat
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Wildlife value: The flowers attract bumblebees.
- +Edible: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stems): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and repels tomato hornworms
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests
Carrots
Helps break up soil and doesn't compete for nutrients
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Lettuce
Provides living mulch and efficient use of container space
Oregano
Repels various pests and attracts beneficial pollinators
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Brassicas
Can stunt tomato growth and attract pests that also harm tomatoes
Corn
Both attract tomato hornworms and compete for similar nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance. Less prone to soil-borne diseases when container grown.
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites in container culture
Diseases
Blossom end rot, early blight, bacterial spot