The Brandywine tomato is a large, pink variety that is considered a valuable species. Brandywines have the distinctive feature of bushy foliage that resembles that of a potato plant. Due to the amount of foliage, Brandywine tomatoes need to be pruned to prevent the stems from overgrowing. Also, you should grow Brandywines on stakes for their tendency to stretch and flex. This large cultivar can produce fruit weighing up to 0.7kg. Plants need at least 80-100 days to reach full maturity, and tomatoes tend to stay green, but they need to be harvested before they crack. Follow these guidelines for planting and growing Brandywines in your garden.
Steps
Step 1. Start the tomatoes inside, 4 weeks before the last frost
- Place growing compost in shallow containers.
- Plant the Brandywine seeds in a container, to a depth of about 0.6 cm.
- Fill a saucer with water and hold the containers over it until the soil has absorbed all the water.
- Put the containers in a warm place, ideally around 24 degrees C.
- Move the containers to a warm, well-lit place as soon as the seedlings have sprouted (about 5 to 6 days). Keep them there until the last frost, when you are ready to plant.
Step 2. Choose a location for your Brandywine tomatoes
- Check the terrain. Brandywines prefer a soil with a pH of around 6.5, with little nitrogen. Too much nitrogen will encourage more foliage and less fruit. Make sure the soil is well-draining and add organic material.
- Choose a location with lots of space and full sun. Due to their thick foliage, Brandywine tomatoes need extra space to grow.
Step 3. Transfer the seedlings to an open space that is protected
This is to allow the small plants to acclimate, and is often called "consolidation".
Step 4. Plant the seedlings
Dig a hole large enough to hold the root ball of each small plant using a transplanter. Place the plants in the holes and cover with soil. Space the tomato plants about 45 cm apart.
Step 5. Put some stakes on the tomato plants
- Drive a wooden or metal stake into the ground at the base of each tomato plant.
- Tie the main stem of the plant firmly to the stake.
Step 6. Prune the tomato plants weekly
Detach any suckers that start from the stem of the leaves towards the main stem. Thin out any thick areas of the foliage to allow the plant to receive more nutrients.
Step 7. Water the plants frequently
Make sure you water only the soil at the base, not the leaves of the plant. A garden drip irrigation system is the best solution for tomatoes, because it will provide constant moisture to the soil, without wetting the entire plant.
