Woolly Kate is a fuzzy-skinned tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): the 150–250 g fruit has a soft, velvety skin in golden yellow and orange, and the leaves are slightly fuzzy too. The packet holds 10 seeds.

Also known as: Shaggy Kate, Tomato, Tamatar (Hindi), Thakkali (Tamil, Malayalam), Tamata (Telugu), Tomate (Spanish, French, German, Portuguese), Pomodoro (Italian), Domates (Turkish), Pomidor (Polish), Fanqie (Chinese).

Velvety skin and fuzzy leaves

• Habit: indeterminate, needs a stake or cage
• Fruit: medium, about 150–250 g
• Skin: soft, velvety fuzz, golden yellow and orange
• Leaves: slightly fuzzy
• Flavour: sweet with a light tang

Sow 3–6 mm deep in soil at 16–29 °C

Start seed indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Cover it with 3–6 mm of seed-starting mix and keep the soil at 16–29 °C. At 20–30 °C seedlings usually appear in 6–8 days (figure measured with seed sown about 12 mm deep). These are typical values for tomatoes as a species, not a test of this packet.

Planting out and support

Move plants outside after the last frost. Space them 60–90 cm apart in well-drained soil at pH 6.0–6.8 and at least 6–8 hours of direct sun. As an indeterminate variety it keeps growing and fruiting all season, so set a stake or cage at planting. The first ripe fruit comes about 75–85 days after transplanting, counted from planting out rather than from sowing.

What you get

The packet holds 10 seeds of Woolly Kate. Tomato seed typically stays usable for 4 years or more when kept cool, dark and dry. We do not state a germination percentage for this packet.

FAQ

Is the fuzz a sign of disease?

No. A soft, velvety fuzz on the skin and slightly fuzzy foliage are traits of this variety.

How long from sowing to the first ripe fruit?

Roughly 6–8 weeks of indoor growing before transplanting, then about 75–85 days after planting out.