Growing Brandywine Tomatoes

If you want a classic tomato with outstanding flavor, growing Brandywine tomatoes is a top choice for your garden. These heirloom beauties are famous for their rich, complex taste and can be the star of your summer harvest.

They do require a bit more attention than some hybrid varieties, but the reward is worth it. With the right care, you’ll enjoy large, pink-red fruits that are perfect for sandwiches and sauces. Let’s get your plants off to a great start.

Brandywines are an heirloom variety known for their irregular, lumpy shape and superb flavor. They are indeterminate, meaning they’ll grow and produce fruit all season until frost. Understanding their needs is the first step to success.

Choosing Your Plants or Seeds

You can begin with seeds or purchase young seedlings. Starting from seeds gives you more control and a wider selection of specific Brandywine strains, like the Pink or Red varieties.

Seeds: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. They need warm soil to germinate.
Seedlings: Look for stocky, dark green plants without any yellowing leaves or spots. Avoid plants that are already flowering.

The Perfect Location and Soil

Tomatoes are sun worshippers. Brandywines need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The more sun, the better the fruit production.

Soil is equally important. They thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Prepare your beds in advance.

Work in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting.
You can also add a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer to the planting hole.
Ensure the site has good air circulation to help prevent foliar diseases.

Planting Your Brandywines

Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Planting in cold, wet soil can stunt growth. Here’s how to plant for strong roots:

Dig a hole deep enough to bury about two-thirds of the plant’s stem.
Remove the lower leaves from the stem, leaving the top cluster.
Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil. The buried stem will grow additional roots.
Space plants about 24 to 36 inches apart, as they get large and bushy.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.

Supporting Your Plants

Because they are indeterminate and produce heavy fruit, Brandywines need strong support. Install it at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.

Use tall, sturdy cages designed for large tomatoes.
Alternatively, use a trellis or stake system. You will need to tie the main stem loosely to the support as it grows.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

Consistent care through the season is what leads to a bountiful harvest. Focus on watering, feeding, and pruning.

Watering Wisely

Inconsistent watering leads to problems like blossom end rot. Your goal is even soil moisture.

Water deeply at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Aim for 1-2 inches per week.
Soaker hoses or drip irrigation are ideal methods. They deliver water directly to the roots.
Mulch heavily with straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Feeding for Success

Brandywines are heavy feeders. A strong start at planting should be followed up with regular nutrition.

When the first fruits are about the size of a golf ball, side-dress with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer.
Repeat this feeding every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers later in the season, as they promote leafy growth instead of fruit.

Pruning and Suckering

Pruning improves air flow and can direct energy into fruit production. For indeterminate tomatoes, removing “suckers” is common practice.

A sucker is a small shoot that grows in the v-shaped crotch between the main stem and a branch. You don’t have to remove them all, but managing them helps.

For simpler management, you can adopt a “one- or two-main-stem” method by regularly pinching off all suckers.
If you prefer a bushier plant, let some suckers grow but be prepared for a larger, denser plant that needs more support.
Always use clean, sharp pruners or your fingers to pinch them off.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with great care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to handle common challenges.

Preventing Blossom End Rot

This dark, leathery spot on the bottom of the fruit is often caused by calcium deficiency in the fruit itself, usually due to irregular watering.

Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch and deep watering.
Ensure your soil pH is correct so calcium is available to the plant.
Remove affected fruit so the plant can focus it’s energy on new growth.

Managing Pests

Tomato hornworms and aphids are frequent visitors.

Handpick hornworms (large green caterpillars) off your plants.
For aphids, a strong spray of water from the hose often does the trick.
Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs by planting flowers nearby.

Avoiding Fungal Diseases

Early blight and other fungal issues can appear, especially in humid climates.

Water at the base, never overhead, to keep leaves dry.
Prune lower leaves that touch the soil and some inner leaves to improve air circulation.
Rotate your tomato crops to a different bed each year if possible.

Harvesting and Storing Your Bounty

The moment you’ve been waiting for! Brandywines are ready to harvest when they have developed their full, deep color and yield slightly to gentle pressure.

The fruit should come off the vine with a slight twist. If you need to pick early due to weather or pests, you can ripen them indoors on a counter away from direct sunlight. Never refrigerate ripe heirloom tomatoes, as it ruins their texture and flavor. Store them at room temperature and enjoy within a few days for the best taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Brandywine tomatoes to grow?

Brandywines are a long-season tomato. From transplanting a seedling into the garden, they typically take around 80 to 100 days to produce ripe fruit. Patience is key.

Why are my Brandywine tomato plants not producing fruit?

This can be frustrating. The most common causes are too much nitrogen fertilizer (which makes leaves, not fruit), insufficient sunlight, or extreme temperatures. Nighttime temps above 75°F or below 55°F can prevent fruit set.

Are Brandywine tomatoes hard to grow?

They are considered moderately challenging compared to some hybrid tomatoes. They are more susceptible to disease and have specific watering needs. However, with good site preparation and consistent care, most gardeners can grow them successfully.

What is the best way to support Brandywine tomatoes?

Due to their large size and heavy fruit, flimsy cages often fail. Use the strongest tomato cages you can find, or commit to a robust staking or Florida weave trellis system that can handle their weight and vigorous growth.

Can I save seeds from my Brandywine tomatoes?

Yes! As an heirloom, the seeds will come true to the parent plant. Simply scoop seeds from a fully ripe fruit, ferment them in water for a few days to remove the gel coating, then dry them thoroughly on a paper towel before storing in a cool, dry place.