Paul Robeson Tomato

4Reviews
SKU: 1604A
$3.95 to $11.81

Item Details

Russian developed variety with a dedicated following among tomato connoiSeed Savers Exchangeurs. Named in honor of Paul Robeson (1898-1976), famous African-American actor, singer, and civil rights advocate. Dusky brick red fruits with dark green shoulders and red flesh; 6-12 ounces. Known for its distinctive flavor—smoky and earthy with a perfect acid/sweet balance.


  • 80-90 days from transplant
  • Organic
  • Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season
  • Dusky brick red fruits with green shoulders
  • Fruits grow to 6-12 ounces
  • Known for its smoky and earthy flavor with a good acid/sweet balance

This variety works for:

  • Fresh eating
  • Sauce
  • Roasting
  • Canning
  • Freezing


Store your tomatoes at room temperature. The flavor and texture of tomatoes suffer when the fruit is chilled.


Heirloom tomatoes are bred for their flavor and simple preparation best allows that intense flavor to shine through. Tomatoes can be sliced and drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper or layer slices with basil and mozzarella for a Caprese salad.


Roasted tomatoes have a richer, concentrated flavor.


There are hundreds of salsa recipes to try and most are dramatically improved with the use of heirloom tomatoes. Tomatoes are also the main ingredient in Gazpacho, a cold soup that is perfect for summer.

Growing Instructions

Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Tomatoes are sensitive to freezing temperatures, so wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Plant in full sun.

  • Start Indoors: 6 weeks before last frost
  • Germination: 7-14 Days
  • Plant Outdoors: 24-36” Apart
  • Support: Cage, stake, or trellis

Ratings & Reviews

4 reviews

  • 4 stars
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One of the best flavored tomatoes I have grown

by

BEST FOR FLAVOR: Slow to germinate, plant extra seeds, or presprout. Late ripening - September for me in NW Montana but when they do... excellent old fashioned sweet smokey, excellent acid/sweet balance. Green tomatoes ripened very slowly indoors as picked before a hard frost but even those were the most delicious of my tomatoes this year. Plant extras as they can be a littel low on production but that may have been where I grew it, and late planting.

Not a good variety for N. TX

by

These did not do well in North Texas. The plants that did come up didn't produce but one or two fruit. Stick with Cherokee purple or other variety that do well in the heat.

Great flavor, juicy, good texture

by

Although I didn't get my seed from seed savers, I hope to encourage others to try this tomato. I grew these in a small pot on an east-facing windy balcony in Seattle from a seedling I got from a friend at my local botanical garden. The best tomato I've tasted since I was a kid. Juicy, sweet, minimal seeds. Delicious. I only managed to get a few tomatoes but it was in a small pot with another tomato, and only 6 hours sun per day, max. I will definitely try to grow it again and plant more carefully next time.

My all time favorite

by

Paul Robeson has been my number one tomato for the last five years. Flavor that far outshines any other tomato, and better production that many other heirloom indeterminates as well. Rich, balance flavor, with a meaty texture. I usually get at least two heavy fruit sets per plant in my southern Wisconsin garden.