Organic 'Brandywine Red' Tomato
Organic 'Brandywine Red' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a deep red Amish Brandywine, juicy, sweet and tangy, and perfect for slicing
The 'Brandywine Red' tomato is an iconic heirloom variety originating from Amish farms near Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania . Indeterminate, vigorous, and prolific, it produces very large, lobed, deep red beefsteak tomatoes with pinkish hues , weighing up to 0.7 kg (1.5 lb) . Its skin is thin, its flesh juicy, sweet, and slightly acidic, and its flavor is so exceptional that it has won several tasting awards.
This tomato is ideal for slicing: its meaty texture, rich aroma, and abundant juice make it a star in sandwiches, summer salads, and heirloom tomato platters. 'Brandywine Red' perfectly embodies the authenticity of Amish tomatoes: large, flavorful, rustic, and deeply rooted in North American heritage.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/Carry : Indeterminate, broad and vigorous
Plant height : 120 to 150 cm (4–5')
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Heirloom Amish variety, very large fruit, thin skin, award-winning flavor
Fruit color : Deep red with pinkish highlights
Fruit shape : Lobed beefsteak
Fruit size/weight : Very large (up to 0.7 kg)
Type of fruit : Old red beefsteak
Texture/flesh : Juicy, fine, sweet and tangy, rich and fragrant
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting . Sow 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in light potting mix at 23–29 °C for germination in 5 to 10 days . During hardening off, reduce watering and nitrogen to produce strong, stocky plants.
Transplant after all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24–36") apart and leave 120 to 180 cm (4–6') between rows. Provide full sun and regular watering (level 3) . Install very sturdy staking , essential for supporting its large fruit.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the tomato is a rich, uniform red . To get an early harvest, pick the fruit showing its first hint of pink , then let it ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store at 12–21°C , below 95% relative humidity , to preserve its delicate, juicy texture.
Usage ideas
• Ideal in thick slices for sandwiches, burgers and tasting platters
• Delicious in summer salads , with its abundant juice and balanced flavor
• Excellent in red gazpacho and fresh sauces
• Looks stunning in trays of heirloom tomatoes , thanks to its pinkish hues
The 'Brandywine Red' tomato reigns supreme among heirloom red tomatoes: large, juicy, refined, and heir to a long Amish tradition. A must-have variety for gardeners who love large, slicing tomatoes.
