Brandywine Black Tomato: Variety Description, Yield, Reviews

In a few years, the variety will celebrate its 100th anniversary, the year it was developed by Oklahoma breeder Merrell Darrell in 1920. Therefore, the tomato can safely be considered an heirloom. Initially, it was black and had potato-like leaves. It is considered one of the most popular varieties in Europe. Later, it evolved into the standard "tomato" variety and is becoming a popular choice in Russian gardens.

Characteristics and description

A mid-season, indeterminate variety. Early black-fruited. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation. The bushes grow to almost 2 m, so they should be tied and side-sonned.

Ripe fruits are round with pronounced ribbing on the shoulders. The top is green when ripe. Later, the coloring becomes evenly distributed throughout the fruit. They weigh up to 290–400 g. The juicy, sweet, and aromatic flesh has 6–9 chambers and is sweet to the taste.

General-purpose. Transportable. Stores well and does not crack. High yield, up to 9 kg per bush. Resistant to diseases common to all nightshades.

Features of cultivation

Spring is a wonderful time for planting. Then, after 3 to 3.5 weeks, you can transplant the young, tender bushes into open ground. The complete planting process includes the following key steps:

Preparing the seed material

High-quality seeds are the key to healthy and strong seedlings. Russian gardeners report that the germination rate is around 80% of all seeds in a packet. You can improve the quality yourself by choosing the best seeds, as follows:

• Dissolve 90–95 g of salt in 1 liter of warm water and stir until dissolved;
• Pour the seeds into water and leave them for 10 minutes;
• Seeds that float to the surface are no good because they are hollow. Keep only those that sink.

Planting seedlings

Sow the seeds for seedlings two months before planting. Prepare compact trays and fill them with soil. Make small holes in the soil – no more than 2 cm deep. Place two seeds in each hole. Water thoroughly to ensure good and rapid germination. Cover the trays with film or a plastic bag and place them in a sunny location. Good light should be provided for at least 14 hours a day. Maintain a stable room temperature of 21–25°C (70–77°F) for favorable seedling growth.

Preparing the soil for planting in the ground

Good soil quality is essential for the growth of the "green mass" of the bushes. Therefore, apply all fertilizers in advance. When spring weather settles, add peat and sand to the soil. Feed with a nutrient solution containing potassium and phosphorus. Humus and ash can also be added. Immediately before planting, thoroughly dig the intended planting site, removing all weeds, but do not water to prevent a soil crust from forming.

Planting in open ground

In spring, once the frosts have passed, you can grow 'Brandywine Black' in an open bed. Avoid planting too early, otherwise the plant may not withstand low temperatures and die. When planting seedlings, space no more than four plants per square meter. For a good yield, train the bush into 2-3 stems.

Care

Regular watering is essential. Once the seedlings have established themselves, watering can be reduced to several times a week. Once fruiting begins, it's recommended to resume this frequency.

It's best to tie up the bush as it grows. Remove side shoots, leaving stumps 2–3.5 cm long.

Otherwise, it's enough to loosen the soil and remove weeds regularly. Tomatoes don't require any complicated care.

Reviews

Ksenia: I ordered seeds online. Every single one in the packet sprouted. It's a delicious tomato with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth flesh, a bit like cherry tomatoes. It grew without a hitch, and I didn't see any spoiled fruit. I got 7 kg from one plant. I love sauces made from it. Everyone in the family appreciated its flavor, even the kids. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves gardening!

Carolina: It looks beautiful in the garden bed. I noticed something: when the sprout was emerging from the seed, it broke in half. And it started growing upside down. I adjusted it, and perhaps that's why the plant started lagging behind. Two out of 10 seeds had such breaks. The rest grew normally. The fruits ripened, small, sweet, and fruity.