Brandywine Red

Tomato

Zone 9b Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Brandywine Red

🌱 90d to harvest Indeterminate

Sink your senses into Brandywine Red’s rich, old-fashioned tomato fragrance and its first bite of deep, tangy sweetness. This bee…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Dec 22nd
Last Frost	Feb 9th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 6th
Harvest Begins	Jul 5th
Harvest Ends	Dec 9th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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

Recommended Companions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Brandywine Red tomato leaves getting yellow spots and what should I do about it?

Yellowing with brown, expanding spots that start on the lower leaves is often early blight or septoria in tomatoes. Remove and discard the affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not the foliage). Start a labeled tomato fungicide and reapply as directed every 5–7 days during wet periods to prevent spread.

How often should I water Brandywine Red tomatoes during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruiting, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than daily sprinkles, and stop when the top 1 inch of soil is dry to the touch. Inconsistent watering can cause blossom-end rot and cracking on Brandywine Red.

How can I tell when Brandywine Red tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruits are fully colored (deep red with a slight pink-to-red finish) and feel slightly soft at the blossom end. For Brandywine Red, avoid waiting for full softness—picking at the first “gives a little” stage helps prevent cracking while keeping flavor at its peak. If nights are cool, watch for pinkish-red color break and test ripeness by gently pressing the fruit.

Sink your senses into Brandywine Red’s rich, old-fashioned tomato fragrance and its first bite of deep, tangy sweetness. This beefsteak standout forms large, irregularly hearted fruits with a satin-smooth, ruby-red blush and a pleasantly dense, juicy flesh—ideal for thick slices that shine in bold, simple preparations, as well as for luscious sauces and robust canning favorites. Grow it for the garden’s grand centerpiece: a sprawling, productive plant that rewards patience with unmistakable, heirloom-style flavor at about 90 days.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Expert Note

Start beefsteak tomatoes indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost, then transplant only after both frost danger has passed and soils are consistently warm (≥60°F) to avoid cold-stunting.