It was the tomato that inspired our business, and in particular this old heirloom variety that produces a dark skinned, almost purple coloured, sweet fleshed tomato of the absolute highest quality. When to Plant Zone 1: October–December Zone 2: August–December Zone 3: August–January Zone 4: April–July For zone map CLICK HERE Soil Tomatoes are very nitrogen- hungry, so prepare the soil by integrating nitrogen-rich pea or broad bean plants into your soil as a green manure. Alternatively, mix compost and chook manure through your patch a fortnight prior to planting.