Heirloom Tomato Spotlight: Brandywine
Orange and Red Brandywine tomatoes topped with a drizzle of Italian olive oil, shredded garden basil, and a beautiful ball of burrata cheese. Heaven!
Brandywine tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. Known for their rich flavor, large size, and beautiful pink color, Brandywine tomatoes are an heirloom variety that offers a taste of tradition and quality. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner looking to grow your own tomatoes, this comprehensive guide will help you understand why Brandywine tomatoes are a top choice and how to successfully grow and enjoy them.
What Are Brandywine Tomatoes?
Brandywine tomatoes are a type of heirloom tomato that has been cultivated for generations. They are known for their unique appearance, with large, round fruits that have a deep pink, reddish, or orange color. Brandywine tomatoes are prized for their rich, sweet flavor and low acidity, making them perfect for fresh eating, salads, sandwiches, and even canning.
These tomatoes have a history that dates back to the 1880s, originating in the United States. The Brandywine tomato variety is often regarded as one of the best-tasting tomatoes available, and its heirloom status adds to its charm, as it is passed down through generations of gardeners. I procured my seeds from a friend and have saved and re-planted them for years.
Why Grow Brandywine Tomatoes?
1. Unmatched Flavor
The most notable feature of Brandywine tomatoes is their exceptional taste. They are famous for their sweet, rich flavor and low acidity, which makes them perfect for eating raw, in salads, or as a topping for sandwiches. If you’re looking for a tomato that brings intense flavor to your dishes, Brandywine is a must-grow variety.
2. Large, Beautiful Fruit
Brandywine tomatoes produce large, meaty fruits that can weigh over a pound each. Despite their size, these tomatoes are sweet and juicy and never mealy in texture.
3. Heirloom Appeal
As an heirloom variety, Brandywine tomatoes are non-GMO and have been grown and passed down for generations. Growing heirloom tomatoes like Brandywine connects gardeners with history and tradition, making them a satisfying and meaningful choice for anyone looking to cultivate something special in their garden.
4. Versatility
Brandywine tomatoes are incredibly versatile. They are excellent for slicing and using in fresh salads or on sandwiches, but they can also be used in sauces, salsas, or even preserved through canning. My favorite way to enjoy them is topped with fresh burrata or mozzarella, basil, and good quality Italian olive oil.
How to Grow Brandywine Tomatoes
Brandywine tomatoes are as easy to grow as they are delicious.
1. Start Seeds Indoors or Purchase from your local nursery
Brandywine tomatoes have a long growing season, typically taking between 80 and 90 days to reach maturity. To get a head start, begin by sowing seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. This will give your Brandywine tomato plants a good jump on the growing season.
2. Choose the Right Location
Tomatoes thrive in full sun, so choose a planting site that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
3. Soil Requirements
Brandywine tomatoes prefer well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Amend your soil with compost or organic matter to improve drainage and provide essential nutrients. A soil test can help you determine if additional adjustments are needed for optimal growth. For more about soil testing, read this.
4. Watering and Fertilization
Brandywine tomatoes need consistent moisture to grow healthy fruits. Water your plants regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but not soggy. Deep watering encourages strong root development and can help prevent blossom end rot. Fertilize your Brandywine tomatoes when needed with a balanced fertilizer that is high in phosphorus to encourage strong root growth and large fruit production.
5. Supporting Your Plants
Brandywine tomato plants are indeterminate, which means they can grow quite large, often reaching heights of 4-5 feet. To support their size, use stakes, cages, or trellises. This will help keep the plants upright, prevent diseases, and allow the fruits to ripen evenly.
6. Pruning and Maintenance
Regular pruning will help your Brandywine tomato plants focus their energy on producing large, high-quality fruits. Remove any suckers (small shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) and dead or yellowing leaves. This will improve airflow and help reduce the risk of fungal diseases. As a general rule, I like to remove all stems within 12” of the ground to help prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
7. Harvesting
Brandywine tomatoes are typically ready to harvest when they have fully ripened. Test the ripeness by gently twisting the fruit on the vine. Be sure to harvest your tomatoes as soon as they are ripe to prevent them from attracting pests or becoming overripe on the vine.
