Brandywine Black

Family: Solanaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Brandywine Black to a garden.

Velvety, smoke-kissed flesh with a deep, wine-dark sweetness—Brandywine Black delivers a dramatic bite of flavor that feels both rich and luminous.

At maturity, its beefsteak fruits are large and irregularly heart-shaped, with a tender, juicy texture and a slightly smoky, complex profile that shines in fresh slices and bold sauces. Grow this heirloom for the unforgettable, dusky color and the satisfying, garden-to-jar presence it brings to every harvest basket.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Brandywine Black

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Brandywine Black Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Brandywine Black’s dusky sweetness and lightly smoky character make it a tomato you eat to understand—sliced thick, it stays lush without tasting flat. When you cook it, treat it gently: slow reduction coaxes that velvety, spoon-thick texture and keeps the smoke from going harsh.

Best Uses

thick slices on sourdough with flaky salt—let it bleed
hot sauce or salsa that benefits from slow, gentle reduction
smoky-sweet tomato braises where it turns spoon-thick and glossy
jammy roasted wedges for sandwiches and grain bowls

Flavor Profile

smoke-kissed, wine-dark sweetness velvety, juicy beefsteak flesh gentle acidity with a lingering savory finish soft, irregular bite that breaks down into a silky mash

Kitchen Pairings

charred bread with cultured butter balsamic vinegar olive oil and flaky salt smoked mozzarella garlic anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage early blight on Brandywine Black tomatoes?

Early blight (Alternaria) shows up as dark, target-like spots on lower leaves that slowly spread upward, often with yellowing. Remove and discard infected lower leaves early, then improve airflow with proper spacing and staking/pruning to keep foliage dry. If it keeps progressing, spray a labeled tomato fungicide (chlorothalonil or a copper-based option) according to the label and repeat at the interval listed, especially after rain.

How often should I water Brandywine Black during fruiting (after it starts setting)?

During fruiting, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times per week instead of frequent light watering, aiming at the soil (not the leaves) to prevent cracking and blossom-end rot. If the top 1 inch of soil dries out, it’s time to water; don’t let it swing between drought and flooding.

When is Brandywine Black ready to harvest at 85 days?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored and slightly soft at the blossom end, with deep smoky red/black tones typical of Brandywine Black. Start checking from about day 85, but don’t rely on the calendar alone—cool weather can delay ripening. If you can smell the tomato aroma and the fruit comes off the vine with a gentle twist, it’s ready; pick promptly at first full color to reduce splitting and bird damage.