tomato (beefsteak) 'Brandywine'
beefsteak tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine'
- Position: full sun
- Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Hardiness: half-hardy annual
A heritage, beefsteak variety with heavy crops of large, meaty textured, pink to deep red, ribbed fruits on sturdy stems. Popular in America where this vigorous cordon variety is commonly grown, the flavour is excellent and the fruit holds up well to slicing and cutting. - Growing instructions: Sow indoors under gentle heat 1cm (¼”) deep in trays or alternatively two seeds per pot using good quality seed compost. Lightly cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Germination takes 1-2 weeks. Plant out in a greenhouse from March or outdoors after risk of frost has passed. For the best yields - remove any sideshoots that develop between stem and leaf stems. Shake flowers to aid setting. Once plant has reached its 6th truss of flowers, pinch out the top of the main stem to develop the fruits. Keep well-watered and feed weekly once flowers form. Keep water levels in the soil consistent to prevent blossom end rot and split fruit. Increase water in hot spells and reduce in cool weather to keep the soil constantly damp.
- Sow: January to March
- Harvest: August to September