Tomato ‘Principe Borghese’ Seeds | Eternal Hanging Tomato for Drying

Principe Borghese is the Italian hanging tomato. Small oval fruits, 90 to 100g each, with dense meaty flesh and almost no seeds. In southern Italy, whole trusses are hung in the shade to dry slowly through autumn. The flavour concentrates as the water evaporates.

You can do the same in Ireland. Hang trusses in a shed, a garage, or a warm dry room. By November you will have semi-dried tomatoes that taste nothing like the ones from a jar. This variety also makes excellent oven-dried tomatoes and thick sauces.

🌱 Sowing information
Sow seeds indoors in a warm, bright location. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot, about 0.5 cm deep, in a quality seed compost. Thin to the strongest seedling. An early start ensures a long growing season for maximum fruit set.​

☀️ Light exposure
Requires a full sun position. The hottest, sunniest, and most sheltered spot is essential for developing the high sugar content needed for successful drying. A south facing aspect is ideal.​

💧 Water needs
Water seedlings regularly. Once established, water consistently at the base to maintain even soil moisture. Reduce watering slightly as fruits begin to ripen to concentrate flavours and sugars.​

🌡️ Germination temperature & time
Seeds require consistent warmth, ideally 18–24°C, for reliable germination. Seedlings typically emerge in 7–14 days. A heated propagator is highly recommended for early sowings.​

📏 Plant spacing & final size
Space plants 45–55 cm apart in the ground. They are vigorous, tall vines that require sturdy staking or a strong trellis system to support the heavy load of fruit.​

🌼 Harvesting notes
For fresh use, harvest when fully coloured. For drying, harvest individual fruits at peak ripeness or adopt the traditional method: before the first frost, pull up the entire plant, shake off soil, and hang upside down in a cool, dry, ventilated place to dry naturally.​

Bullet Technical Data
🌱 Sowing depth: 0.5 cm deep​
📅 Ideal planting months for Ireland: Sow indoors February to April. Transplant outdoors after last frost, typically late May/early June.​
☀️ Light requirements: Full sun​
🌡️ Germination time: 7–14 days with warmth​
📏 Plant height: Indeterminate vine, can reach 1.5-1.8m​
🪴 Spacing: 45–55 cm between plants​
⏳ Days to maturity: Approximately 75-85 days from transplanting​