The 'Saint Pierre' tomato variety is known for its large, juicy fruits. We show what makes the Saint-Pierre tomato so special and what needs to be considered when planting and caring for it.
The large, red fruits of the 'Saint Pierre' variety catch the eye from afar. We present a portrait of the robust beefsteak tomato.
‘Saint Pierre’: profile
| Fruit | Beefsteak tomato; red |
| Flavour | mild, juicy, moderately sweet |
| Maturity | medium |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | Greenhouse, Outdoor |
Origin and history of the tomato
The Saint-Pierre tomato is an old variety that originated in France and has always been popular there. To this day, this variety is still popular with hobby gardeners in their home gardens because it is considered robust and high-yielding.
Characteristics and taste of the ‘Saint Pierre’ beefsteak tomato
'Saint Pierre' has an average fruit weight of 100 grams and is therefore a beefsteak tomato. The flat-round to round red and firm fruits ripen in small clusters from the end of July. The plant is very resistant to diseases and reaches a height of about 150 to 200 centimeters. The 'Saint Pierre' tastes mild and balanced, is only moderately sweet, but juicy. It is also an old and seed-resistant variety that can be propagated again and again from its own seeds.
Planting and cultivating the 'Saint-Pierre' tomato
'Saint Pierre' is suitable for cultivation in greenhouses and, thanks to its high disease resistance, is also particularly good as an outdoor tomato. 'Saint Pierre' can be planted outdoors from mid-May. With a soil specially adapted to the needs of tomatoes, such as our Plantura organic tomato soil, you can give the plants a quick start to the flowering season. The nutrients it contains provide the tomatoes with everything they need at the beginning of the growing season.Put the soil directly into the planting hole and put the 'Saint Pierre' deep into it. After planting it needs to be watered.
Beefsteak tomatoes such as 'Saint Pierre' are always completely pinched, i.e. all side shoots are broken off. Only the more stable main shoot bears the burden of the heavy fruit. The plant should be well supported and kept upright outdoors. The plants dry off quickly after a rain. As a result, the leaves and fruits are better protected against fungal diseases. Proper watering and mulching of tomatoes also contributes to plant he alth outdoors.
In the course of fruit formation, fertilizer should be used, since the soil's own nutrients are quickly used up. The 'Saint Pierre' is gently and long-term fertilized with a primarily organic slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertiliser. The high potassium content supports the growth and ripening of the fruit.
Harvesting and using Saint Pierre tomatoes
The large fruits of the 'Saint Pierre' can be used as tomato slices for burgers or for snacks. Large harvest quantities can be boiled down well in soups and sauces. The fruits do not become too soft and keep their shape. They are also perfect for stuffing and grilling or baking in the oven.
Would you like more color on your plate? In our yellow tomato article, we highlight delicious golden to lemon yellow tomato varieties.