Raf tomato, a seasonal product
The authentic Raf tomato season begins in December and ends in May.
The Raf tomato plant is seasonal, with a growing cycle lasting approximately three months. This is why at pepeRaf we stagger our crops to produce for as long as possible, but always within the months in which the fruit reaches its maximum quality.
Due to its climatic requirements, the authentic Raf tomato can only be grown from December to the end of May. Outside of these periods, it cannot be cultivated, so if you find them on sale, they are probably hybrids or imitations.
Raf Calendar
The Raf tomato plant needs mild and warm temperatures to develop properly and for its roots to be strong enough to survive the winter. Thus, the best time to plant the seeds is from early September to mid-October, and the seedlings need a month to be transplanted.
Once the small Raf plants are on our farm, they will need about 3 months until the first fruits begin to ripen, and this is where the flowers need cooler temperatures (from November to January), so that the Raf tomato comes out with the highest quality.
Finally, and depending on the cultivation cycle used, the first quality Raf tomatoes will begin to grow in December, and their production may last until May, when the intense heat causes them to lose turgidity.