Brandywine
Solanum lycopersicum
We describe Brandywine's luscious, heirloom flavor as "very rich, loud, and distinctively spicy." The large fruits, often over 1 lb., have a deep pink skin and smooth red flesh. The medium-tall, potato-leaf plant is best staked or caged. Our 'Quisenberry' strain is considered among the best. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
78d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Brandywine in USDA Zone 10
All Zone 10 vine →Zone Map
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Brandywine · Zones 10–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 10 | — | March – April | — | — |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, thrips, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, whiteflies, and other harmful insects with natural compounds
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Carrots
Helps break up soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Lettuce
Benefits from tomato shade and efficient use of garden space
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may improve tomato growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted nearby
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
No disease resistance. Very susceptible to cracking and splitting.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, cutworms, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, cracking