Wolverine BIO Indeterminate Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum

Yellow fruits with dark brown stripes on the shoulders. Wolverine is a mid-early tomato variety with a very striking appearance. The fruits are round, ribbed at the top, and yellow with dark brown stripes around the stem. They are medium to large in size and have an excellent flavor, with a good balance of juiciness and fleshiness. The plant is indeterminate and moderately productive.

At a glance

• Growth habit: tall, indeterminate tomato
• Fruit: medium to large, round, yellow with brown stripes
• Sowing under cover: March – early April
• Transplanting: under cover from early May, outdoors after May 15–20
• Harvest: July – September
• Position: sunny and warm, preferably a greenhouse or polytunnel
• Difficulty: moderate
• Seeds per packet: 25

What makes this variety special

The dark stripes on the upper part of the fruit are caused by anthocyanins – natural pigments that give tomatoes purple and brown hues. Against the yellow background, they create a striking, high-contrast pattern, making Wolverine stand out among other heirloom tomatoes.

Its productivity is moderate, but the quality of the fruit makes up for it: the flesh is juicy yet meaty, with a rich flavor. The fruits ripen in mid-season, about 2.5 months after transplanting the seedlings.

Step-by-step growing guide

Sowing (March–April, under cover): Sow seeds from mid-March to early April, about 6–8 weeks before the planned transplanting date, at a depth of about 1 cm. Keep the growing medium slightly moist and maintain a steady temperature of 20–25°C (ideally around 24°C). Germination occurs after 7–10 days. Once emerged, seedlings need as much light as possible – on a windowsill, a south-facing window or supplemental lighting works well; otherwise, plants will quickly become leggy.

Pricking out: When the seedlings have developed 2–4 true leaves, transplant them individually into pots 8–10 cm in diameter, planting them slightly deeper than they were growing before. Keep the seedlings in a bright spot at 15–20°C and water moderately but regularly. Begin hardening them off 7–10 days before transplanting by placing the plants outdoors for a few hours each day.

Transplanting (May): Plant seedlings in a greenhouse or unheated polytunnel from early May, or outdoors after May 15–20, once the risk of frost has passed. Space plants about 50 cm apart in rows, with 100 cm between rows. Bury the stem considerably deeper than it was in the pot – the tomato will grow additional roots along it. Insert a stake or attach a training string straight away.

Care: Train plants to one or two stems and regularly remove side shoots (known as suckers) growing in the leaf axils – this directs the plant’s energy into the fruit rather than foliage. Water at the base of the plant without wetting the leaves, as tomatoes are susceptible to late blight. Remove lower leaves so they do not touch the soil; mulch helps retain moisture and prevents soil from splashing onto the leaves. Tomatoes prefer soil rich in organic matter and potassium, so they respond well to compost and organic fertilizers for fruiting vegetables. Anthocyanin coloring develops most strongly in sunlight, so avoid shading the fruit trusses with too many leaves.

Uses

Wolverine is a tomato best eaten raw – sliced, in salads or on sandwiches, where its two-tone skin can be seen. It pairs well with mozzarella, olive oil and fresh basil. Any surplus fruit can be used for sauces and preserves.

Gardener’s tip

About the producer

The seeds come from Semailles – an artisanal Belgian producer of organic seeds based in the province of Namur in Wallonia. Semailles offers only open-pollinated varieties (no F1 hybrids), including many traditional and heirloom varieties. Some seeds are grown on its own fields, while others are produced in collaboration with organic growers in Belgium and France. All batches are certified organic (inspection code BE-BIO-01).

Specifications