Heirloom Tomato Review-A Series

Summary

The article provides a review of the Brandywine heirloom tomato, a popular and flavorful variety with a long history, and offers insights into its cultivation and the different colors available.

Abstract

The author continues a series on heirloom tomatoes with a focus on the Brandywine variety, which has been a favorite since the late 19th century. The article discusses the tomato's excellent flavor, its large size, and the fact that it can be found in multiple colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, and black. The author shares personal experiences with starting Brandywine seeds and recalls family memories of growing these tomatoes. The article also provides practical information on the plant's growth habits, noting that it grows on indeterminate vines and matures in 90 to 100 days, making it a good choice for novice gardeners.

Opinions

The author expresses a preference for heirloom tomatoes, emphasizing their superior flavor as the main reason for their popularity.
Brandywine tomatoes are highly recommended by the author, who has grown them successfully for many years and considers them a good variety for beginners.
The article suggests that the Brandywine variety's popularity is well-deserved, with its good flavor and the versatility of color options adding to its appeal.
The author reminisces about the Brandywine's popularity in the past, even before heirloom tomatoes became widely recognized.

Heirloom Tomato Review-A Series

Brandywine-#3-One of My Grandmother’s Favorites

Welcome back to my series on heirloom tomatoes. Heirlooms are all the rage now and for good reason. The main one being flavor.

Read every story from Dan Pfeifer (affiliate link):

So far in my series, I have reviewed Matt’s Wild Cherry and Amish Paste. These varieties are fantastic although very different types of tomatoes. What will you grow this summer? As I write more of these reviews perhaps your choices will become easier.

For many years now I have been starting tomatoes from seed. I do find myself purchasing a few plants also if I find a different variety I want to try, etc.

I normally start my seeds towards the latter part of March. By the end of May, the plants are ready to be transplanted into the garden as the danger of frost has passed, at least most years. I have seen frost here in Central NY in early June but that is rare.

Getting back to topic, Brandywine tomatoes are an old-time variety that dates back to 1886 in the Burpee catalog and are one of the most popular heirlooms. The large pink/red sandwich-sized beauties are known for good flavor.

I remember my Mom talking about Brandywine being popular back in the 1940s or even earlier as her parents were avid gardeners. Back before heirlooms were a thing. I still remember my grandmother’s tomato plants upstairs in her house in an unheated sunny bedroom. Facing South, soaking in the sun.

But wait. There is more! Looking at the Totally Tomatoes website, these beauties are available in red, pink, yellow, orange, and black. So pick your color. You can’t go wrong.

These flavor bombs grow on indeterminate vines and mature in 90 to 100 days. I normally grow these each year with good results. I definitely recommend them. They are a good variety to start with for the novice gardener.

Heirloom Tomato Review-A Series

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