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'Brandywine' Tomatoes
 

Brandywine

Sub-Category: Standard
Main-Season
Heirloom
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Heirloom. Main season standard type. Indeterminate, potato-leaved plants bear 10 to 24 ounce, deeply lobed fruit with deep pink skin and red flesh. About 70 to 80 days to maturity.
Days To Maturity: 80-90
Seed Sources: Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019
Burpee Seeds - updated in 2016
Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2016
Totally Tomato - updated in 2016
Seeds of Change - updated in 2016
High Mowing Seed - updated in 2016
Henry Field's Seed and Nursery Co. - updated in 2016
Johnny's Selected Seeds - updated in 2016

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (3.7 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.4 Stars)Taste
Yield: (3.0 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (3.3 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 85

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 02/22/2023 by Jolly Hobbit - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Breckinridge, Kentucky, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Here in Kentucky it did ok but did not get the number of tomatoes we were expecting. May not do well in this zone/soil/growing season.
 

Reviewed on 10/27/2017 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener

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Nassau, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted two seedlings on May 21. Grew quickly into huge plants. Produced a fair yield, but tomatoes split as they grew, so very few were sellable (CCE Nassau County has a farm stand).
 

Reviewed on 10/12/2017 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

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Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted 5/16/17. Good harvest, would do better with more room to grow
 

Reviewed on 04/17/2017 by lizmom - An experienced gardener

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Franklin, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Not worth growing! Get Brandy Boy F1 instead!!!!!!! This one is very, very low production. The whole fruit does not ripen together so that you have half ripe-half rotten fruit.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/25/2016 by kbill23 - A novice gardener

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Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I have grown Brandywine for 2 years now and both years have had very good results without many problems. Will be planting again this year.
 

Reviewed on 04/12/2015 by Obie1knobe - An intermediate gardener

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Caldwell, North Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I've tried 3 years and got two or three tomatoes from each plant. Very susceptible to disease or they just fail to thrive.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 11/20/2014 by Robert Somma - An experienced gardener

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Rockland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Like others the taste is fantastic. Thin skin, meaty tomato. My problems the last several years has been due to inconsistent watering. periodic black spot, but huge tomato's. I am confident, now that I have installed my automatic drip irrigation, my yield will improve. I also was diligent at removing all but 1 or 2 flowers in a bunch...
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/23/2014 by TheGardeningLady - An intermediate gardener

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Butler, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Best tasting tomato in my garden. Great for slicing for sandwiches or chunking for salads!
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/15/2014 by swlindy - An intermediate gardener

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Cochise, Arizona, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Doesn't grow well in high desert climate. No fruit produced at all.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/24/2011 by IraH - An experienced gardener

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Chenango, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

to me brandywine is the king of hierlooms.. i find it very temeprmental and challenging to get ripe fruite but well worth the effort when i get a surprise of these mouth watering tomatoes and as much as i look for a tomato to surpass the brandywine flavore there arent any that match
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 11/20/2011 by Drscott - An intermediate gardener

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Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grow 10 - 20 varieties each summer. Generally I get great yield in my raised beds with excellent loam soil. I have never managed to get Brandywine Tomatoes to give me a decent yield. The taste is OK but I never get more than half a dozen tomatoes per plant. I have tried the common strain including Sudduth. The tomatoes catface, crack, rot, get bugs, etc. Not impressed when there are so many good varieties available.
 
4 of 4 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 07/13/2011 by mecar - An intermediate gardener

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Will, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

We\'ve grown Brandywine tomatoes for close to 10 years. The first year we bought the seeds, and after that we grew from seeds that we saved. We\'ve always had very good results. The plants are huge, with very good yields, and almost no disease or pest problems. And the taste is phenomenal! This is the main tomato for us!
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/28/2011 by Joseph L - An experienced gardener

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Cache, Utah, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Brandywine is too long season to be a great tomato in my garden.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/20/2011 by macinator - An experienced gardener

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Trumbull, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Grew Brandywine in 2008 and found them to be fabulous in flavor and size. 2009 they sat green on the healthy vines during a much too cool summer and when heat hit in August (disease month) tomatoes ripened but all our tomato plants bit the dust in 3 weeks. Note: Brandywine comes in several strains. Suddeth Strain is the best tasting one (pink variety) or so we found out in 2010 with a red strain that tasted horrible.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/15/2010 by Bowen - An experienced gardener

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Granville, North Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I have had great success planting Brandywine tomatoes. I normally plant about 12 plants each have have many tomatoes to eat and give away.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/15/2010 by ch_jeep - An intermediate gardener

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Oklahoma, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I've been growing this variety in my (often barely) Zone 4 garden for 15+ years. I like the red and pink varieties but it's the Yellow Brandywine that has become my all-time favorite of the hundred-plus varieties that I've trialed over the years (admittedly, the Green Zebra and Balck Krim are close behind). Our climate is challenging for any long season tomato and in some years the production starts perilously late but it has always been more than worth the wait: an eagerly anticipated late summer rite-of-passage has become the first time we have a giant Yellow Brandywine on our grilled burgers. I've been saving seeds from the best-flavored (production and shape are secondary considerations) tomatoes each season and now have a dependable and delicious Yellow Brandy that I grow without fail every season. It is a large sprawling indeterminate so each year I try to discipline myself to give them plenty of space and support (with more or less success depending on how many other varieties have gotten my attention). I would recommend that those folks who have been disappointed in the Brandywines they have tried look for a source of old seeds (I, too, have been disappointed with several of the varieties labeled as Brandywine that I have purchased from various seed houses - I'm afraid the quality control of those sources may not be up to the task) - perhaps Seed Saver's Exchange. Finding a good Yellow Brandywine will be more than worth the effort!
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 10/13/2010 by Gman71 - An experienced gardener

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Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Ordered this one from Tomato Growers described as "Pink Brandywine" with no indication which strain. I have grown the Suddeth Strain previously. The two plants I grew were quite tall and required some extra work even staked. The early tomatoes did not match the Suddeth strain for taste but as the summer progressed they were excellent. 2010 was an extremely hot and dry summer in Ct. but the plants produced abundantly. I averaged fortytwo tomatoes per plant and that was with one getting diseased early. The size was a bit smaller than the Suddeth strain averaging 12 ounces to a pound but as I mentioned the season was quite dry. Still, plenty big enough. The taste just kept getting better as the season progressed.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 08/15/2010 by YorkerJenny - An intermediate gardener

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Onondaga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

It doesn't have that classic taste, it's different. I think some love, some hate. Sometimes it's taste like as if it was rotten, very different taste. For me it's not a variety to eat fresh. I use it in sauces and soups to enhance the flavor. I think there are certain vagetables and varieties that it makes a big difference if we use/cook in certain ways. I think before we say, it's not a good variety, we better try to use in different ways. Brandywine is my favorite. I'm growing in the last 4 years. They are stronger than some other varieties regarding late blight issue. They produce really big tomatoes, but not crazy amount.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 04/25/2010 by Sphinx646 - An experienced gardener

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Falls Chruch, Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I am a real tomato lover and last year I added the much touted Brandywine variety to my tomato garden, What a disappointment! Although it was a prodigious producer and had only some minor issues with blossom end rot, the taste was bland and watery - totally lacking in acidity or sweetness. I didn't mind all the weird shapes and forms of the fruit but the skins were very tough. I did not include it in my 2010 tomato roster.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/07/2010 by OhioMG - An experienced gardener

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Huron, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

We grew this in our MD garden and were just not that impressed. Flavor was just okay, nothing that made us say WOW. It really cannot compare to many of the other heirlooms. Flavor-wise, my husband's litmus test for a tomato is how it stands up to a sandwich, and he said Brandywine could not compare with German Johnson, Mortgage Lifter, Mr. Stripey, Neves Azorean, Gregori's Altai, or Kelloggs Breakfast. Yield was poor and marred by fruit imperfections. Brandywine has gotten a lot of attention, though, and is the one heirloom name a lot of people know. That has helped heirlooms in general, and that is a great achievement.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/04/2009 by gandle - An experienced gardener

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Dawson, Nebraska, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Hate to be the one with a negative opinion but in my 65+ years of growing tomatoes I think there are far better ones. Taste is good but rather insipid. Yield is poor, susceptibility to disease is great. For slicers, Brandyboy or even Parks whopper is as good or better and certainly more reliable. The taste sort of reminds me of a souped up John Baer, well maybe a little better.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/02/2009 by susiehomemaker - An experienced gardener

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Daviess, Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I always grow Brandywine. It's the ONLY tomato for a BLT at our house. This past summer (2009) we had poor yields, but the tomatoes we had tasted great. I sucker and prune the plants, and keep them at a manageable size. I plant them close together, about 2 feet or so apart in a row with a tall fence trellis. I foolishly bought a couple of plants and brought home some wilt last summer, so some heavy rotation should help next year.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 11/01/2009 by TheFluffyOne - An experienced gardener

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Kane, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

There are many strains of BrandyWine, mine came from Ferry-Morse via Lowe\'s. This was a great tomato in year that was horrible for them. Once again I\'ll say 2009 was a tough year for tomatoes but my Brandywine kept pace with BetterBoy in terms of yield. Typical Heirloom issues when contrasted with a tomato like BetterBoy, catfacing, lots of cracking, bizarre shapes, clumping, lots of waste, uneven ripening and sizes varied like crazy on the same plant. But as I said the yield was good, and oddly enough of the 9 varieties I grew this was among the earliest coming in with SuperSweet 100. I am working on creating a strain for my area as this is simply a superior tomato when taste is the over riding factor. And it was among the most disease resistant in once again a poor year (extremely wet and cold) Additionally I preserve tomatoes by drying, and I note there really are few seeds in this Brandywine and its meaty walls dry very, very well. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2010 update - this tomato remains the best overall in our garden(13 varieties in 2010), nudging out the venerable Cherokee Purple. This year I also planted Pruden\'s Purple and Brandywine stands head and shoulders above it. I order the Sudduth strain to try against for 2011. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As mentioned I ordered the Sudduth\'s variety of Brandywine. It was definately a different tomato than the Red Brandywine from Ferry-Morse. Sudduth\'s was par excellent. Still and all the Red Brandwine was excellent in its own right. Sudduth\'s was less productive, but had the flavor edge, not as sweet as the Red Brandywine but more complex subacid tone and more tomato flavor vs the additional sweetness of Red Brandywine. Both these varieties of Brandywine are on my permanent must grow list.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 08/14/2009 by engk916 - A novice gardener

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Mercer, New Jersey, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

my favorite tomato! the flavor is outstanding, with huge fruit that have the perfect balance of sugar and acid. i amend the soil with manure and foliar feed during the growing season with seaweed. this treatment greatly boosts the yields for me, and i think the foliar feed helped fend off the blight that destroyed my black krim plant. the only issue for me is the late ripening for these tomatoes, it makes my patience wear thin but the flavor more than makes up for the long wait.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 08/05/2009 by NJGardengal - An intermediate gardener

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Bergen, New Jersey, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I've grown these sporadically over the years. In my opinion, Brandywine is the best tasting tomato out there (a 5+)! However, the yield was spotty for me. Only one year did I have a decent yield. Most years there were only a couple of tomatoes on the plant, so I can't honestly give it a high overall rating. I had always heard that Brandywine didn't have much disease resistance, but in my garden, they fared no worse than any other variety...hybrids included. So, if you can afford the space in your garden, I'd say give them a try based on their taste alone.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 06/10/2009 by Charles Clement - An experienced gardener

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Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

My first year growing them. So far so good! I can not yet rate the taste because I have not had my first ripe one yet. Here is what is going on as of June 10, 2009. I am impressed with the green tomatoe sets which have appeared. one bloom stem has 26 bloom flowers and is setting many tomatoes. The bloom stem is massive in size. No sign of health problems yet with the plants. I will try to report back at season end for final report
 

Reviewed on 06/06/2009 by camaspermaculture -

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Clark, Washington, United States
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We have planted Sudduth's strain of Brandywine for a number of years with consistent results. One of the best tomatoes ever. Tend to be more acidic than newer varieties-which we like. Large plants with irregular shaped fruit. Not a great market tomato but will make the best sauces possible with a tomato. Great eating as well if you like tomato salad but because of the large size of the fruit some people may not like how they slice into a green salad. This is a good variety to save seed from and bears true every year.
 

Reviewed on 04/21/2009 by UphillJill - A novice gardener

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Washington, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

Got organic seeds from Seeds of Change and had about 50% germination rate. Started indoors 3/26 for mid-May transplant. Seedlings are hardy and easy to care for but the plants grow slower, produce fewer tomatoes, and ripen much later in the season than my other varieties. Worth it for the great taste.
 

Reviewed on 04/09/2009 by pablo -

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Tompkins, New York, United States
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good
 

Reviewed on 04/08/2009 by trudy - An intermediate gardener

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Washington, Rhode Island, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

These are wonderful tasting tomatoes, but my season in RI is a bit short for them. I would have perhaps better luck if I started them earlier with wall of waters or somesuch. Otherwise, most do not get a chance to ripen here. In the San Francisco area, they didn't have that problem. I got a respectable harvest there. It is not the world's most prolific tomato, but the taste is worth it.
 

Reviewed on 03/28/2009 by Collards - An intermediate gardener

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Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Perhaps the humid hot summers are too much for it here, but I was very disappointed in the two Brandywines I grew last summer. They dropped all their flowers until August and we only got a few ripe tomatoes off each before the frost.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/18/2009 by alecfree - An experienced gardener

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King, Washington, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I've grown this variety in two different plots in the Pacific Northwest, with extremely varying results. The first time I grew Brandywines, my garden plot was marginal--maybe 6-7 hours of full sun per day. The results were excellent. If this were my only experience, I'd rate this as a 5-star variety. Absolutely no problems. However, I moved to a sunnier spot in Western Washington and I've had very disappointing results two years in a row. My soil is as good or better, too. Therefore, I've lowered my rating to 4 (to average out.) The tomatoes I've grown in this new spot are uniformly insipid; that is, their acid content is low, and they are very "watery." No major disease problems in either location, though (other than blossom-end rot, which is more my problem and I've now addressed that w/soil supplements).
 

Reviewed on 03/17/2009 by Sillius - An intermediate gardener

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Lorain, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

You need a good, long season to get much out of these. I always have a lot of green fruit to pick before the last frost. I am not sure that I would grow them below zone six. Absolutely delicious, though.
 

Reviewed on 03/10/2009 by Allen -

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Wayne, New York, United States
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Very prolific, and superb taste!
 

Reviewed on 03/08/2009 by gardener2001 - An experienced gardener

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Delaware, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Big tasty tomatoe. Plants where so thick I had a problem with air flow. Grew a different variety this past year, shoulda stayed with Brandywine. I will do them this year
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/08/2009 by Macadoo - An intermediate gardener

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Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

these were the best tomatoes I have ever tasted. the size was great but the number of fruits per vine were not as great as I had hoped for.
 

Reviewed on 01/14/2009 by gsmagassy - An experienced gardener

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San Diego, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This rating is for growing in a Fusarium-infested garden. I can only get a few good fruit before plant dies. I've had better luck with tomatoes when using lots of composted manure (5-6 inches) so I will try this variety again when the cows come home.
 

Reviewed on 12/28/2008 by lbroer - An intermediate gardener

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Bartholomew, Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

I have been raising 4 different varieties of tomatoes the past 5 yrs. The plants would get about 4 ft. tall and then all of a sudden they would wilt. All varieties suffered but some more than others. Thanks to Cornell I determined the problem to be walnut wilt. There was a 12'' walnut tree in a fence line about 15 ft. from my garden. I cut the tree down last spring but I'm told the poison in the roots can last for some undetermined time. I think the roots also ruined my asparagus bed. Rutgers and big beef survived with low yields. Brandywine did not fare as well.
 

Reviewed on 09/10/2008 by FarmerDoug -

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Culpeper, Virginia, United States
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Brandywine IS a difficult tomato. Susceptible to disease, low yields. But it does taste great and since the name is recognizable I still grow these for market. Marketgoers love beefsteaks and brandywine is one of the best. For those who switch to hybrids, I hope you understand that (a) you cannot develop a terroir through seed saving, and (b) your tomatoes will be less nutritious, and less flavorful as well. We do not grow any hybrids on our farm and seed saving is a good way to adapt plants to your soil for better performance. But it takes some years so you have to be patient.
 

Reviewed on 08/30/2008 by flowerbill1952 - An experienced gardener

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Prince Georges, Maryland, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Yilds and grows best on soil not used for several years for growing tomatoes. Be careful not to overfertilize or it won't set fruit.
 

Reviewed on 07/17/2008 by CvilleGardener - An intermediate gardener

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Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Everyone should grow this famous variety once and make up their own mind. Fruits are over-sized and ugly, but that's part of the attraction. The picture is misleading; Brandywines never quite get to red, developing more a pale pink with purple undertone. Flavor is, of course, indescribable, mild and not very acidic, but rich and complex. But yield is very low--I had plants with only one big tomato-- and vines are not really vigorous enough to outgrow disease (which is inevitable in VA). Grow it, but not as your only tomato ...
 

Reviewed on 05/11/2008 by scbbbc - An experienced gardener

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Sonoma, California, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

the brandywine is an great tomato if the yields could be more it would be great its an fat tomato i think taste is dependnt on your soil an my tomatos have done better with an 2 week spray of fish emulson.
 

Reviewed on 05/05/2008 by mtbigfish - An experienced gardener

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Orange, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

The Brandywine was one of the first Heirlooms I grew many years ago - I have since moved on to other heirlooms that actually beat the Brandywine taste and productiviity - which isn't hard - I am really happy with Rose which has beaten Brandywine in several side by side tests I like it better and it gives you a lot more tomatoes for your investment in caring for the plant
 

Reviewed on 02/12/2008 by Mid-Indiana-Gardner - An experienced gardener

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Morgan, Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

(Pink) A fine-tasting tomato, but IMO, over-rated. Cracks badly and produces generally ugly fruit. Modest yields. Lots of vine. "Brandy Boy" hybrid from Burpee is a significant improvement on the original.
 

Reviewed on 02/05/2008 by lakeeriegarden - An intermediate gardener

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Lorain, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The standard by which all other pink or red tomatoes should be judged by in regards to flavor. Nicely sized tomatoes make up for their lack of productivity which really is okay for an heirloom. This is one of the very, very best tasting tomatoes out there. Don't expect pretty, round red tomatoes or tons of them but you will be eating a world class tomato for flavor.
 

Reviewed on 02/02/2008 by JuddH - An experienced gardener

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Monroe, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Excellent tomato I grew for the first time last year & will always grow in the future.
 

Reviewed on 02/01/2008 by mheide - An intermediate gardener

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Jackson, Missouri, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I think Brandywine tomatoes the best flavor of any tomato. I have a little bit of trouble growing them. The vines get huge, the fruits often crack and I have had lower yields than I want. However, the taste is well worth the trouble.
 

Reviewed on 01/28/2008 by SchuyJac - An experienced gardener

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Herkimer, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Wonderful tasting tomato. I've had problems with disease when the summers were rainy.
 

Reviewed on 01/09/2008 by Lewis - An intermediate gardener

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Cumberland, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This tomato produced alot of vine for the amount of fruit that it yielded. It grew many times over the supports that I put up (the standard tomato cages plus a cattle fence section). The Brandywine tomatoes gave a few tomatoes at a time instead of all at once. This was good for eating, but bad for canning. By the time I had enough to can, they had gone bad on the counter. I finally resorted to freezing them as they came off. The taste was great, a rich old fashioned tomato taste!
 

Reviewed on 01/08/2008 by CaseyV - An experienced gardener

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Tioga, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

These grew well for me in a square foot garden (peat/vermiculite/compost). We started them very early indoors (April), and watered them well throughout the season. I had two plants that yielded ~40 fruit. I easily trellised the plants. Very nice sandwich tomato as well as being an interesting color/flavor addition to our canned sauce.
 

Reviewed on 12/27/2007 by rwkrieger - An intermediate gardener

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Prince William, Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

There are several types of pink and red brandywines and they should probably be broken out separately. I grow the pink Sudduth Strain and the reddish OTV every year. The pink tends to do better in cooler weather and the OTV tolerates heat better in my Northern VA garden. Both have excellant flavor and are fairly productive for me.
 

Reviewed on 12/16/2007 by Oregon - An experienced gardener

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Lane, Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Very good tasting tomato but some seasons it does not get ripe before the frost hits.
 

Reviewed on 12/16/2007 by Oregon - An experienced gardener

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Lane, Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Always good. The only problem I have had with it is it has a long growing season and sometimes don't mature befor frost hits.
 

Reviewed on 09/05/2007 by sallyd - An intermediate gardener

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Portage, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Monster plant that yielded a total of 4 fruits. Taste was nothing special. Not worth the space or effort.
 

Reviewed on 09/04/2007 by Philcoman - An intermediate gardener

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Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Many people have warned me about the low yield and difficulty growing Brandywines, but I took a chance this year. With just regular watering and an occasional application of compost, I was almost overwhelmed by the vigorous growth and the clusters of large, delicious tomatoes. Maybe it was a combination of a relatively dry summer in New England and beginner's luck, but I had no problems. They're not the prettiest tomatoes I've ever eaten -- rather lumpy and they split easily -- but boy, are they good!
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/26/2007 by naplesgardener - An intermediate gardener

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Collier, Florida, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

this was my first year growing Brandywine and it was the star of all the tomatoes grown. I grow in Florida from Sept to June and this tomato loved the cooler winter temps (cool in my area of FL is 40's). The only trouble I had was tomato fruitworms taken care of by using BT (Thuricide). Lost many tomatoes before finding the right deterrent.
 

Reviewed on 03/20/2007 by GardenMom - A novice gardener

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Albany, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Brandywine is a kind of tomato that every heirloom tomato grower should have in their garden at least once in their gardening history. It is a delicious tomato that for many sets the bar on taste. However, it is a large plant that produces little. For gardeners with lots of space, this isn't an issue (you can plant many plants and just let them sprawl), for gardeners like me, with small gardens, it's just not worth the space. There are so many varieties that produce so much more with outstanding flavor, Brandywine is an easy variety to leave out of the garden.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/24/2007 by j1s8 - An experienced gardener

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San Diego, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Very good flavor, but ultimately its biggest disadvantage is its low yield. If you are able to make that trade-off of quality vs. quantity (it is a big plant and it takes up space that could be used to produce higher yields with other great tomato varieties) than it is definitely worth it.
 

Reviewed on 02/17/2007 by spedoodle - A novice gardener

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Kent, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

they taist the best of any tomatoe I've ever tried but only if you can get them to survive. I've tried for the last three years in diferent locations but I never get more than a few tomatoes before the plant dies or the tomatoes rot off the vine. Also use a strong tomatoe cage or the plant will flatten it.
 

Reviewed on 01/29/2007 by starflakes - An experienced gardener

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Roberts, South Dakota, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I will be the lone exception to the world with thousands of others who never speak up, but I dislike Brandywine's flavor intensely. It tastes like a musty old cellar to me. At 5 years old it was the first tomatoe I ever tasted at my Grandpa's and I hated them. I had forgotten that flavor until I got seed from Johnny's and my first bite I just smiled as THAT IS THE TASTE I DO NOT LIKE. That is the beauty of tomatoes though as there is one for all tastes somewhere. Just do not believe all the propaganda people buy into like "buttery potatoes" and this is the best tomatoe ever. Brandywine has nice large, kind off milky red color fruits on sturdy plants. I had no trouble in 100 plus degree heat nor in regular growing temps. The flesh is "creamy" or melts in your mouth which I dislike also compared to like a firmer Big Boy. It just tastes horrid to me and not "smokey". For sweet try Rose and for acidic try Big Boy if that is what you like.
 

Reviewed on 01/09/2007 by Grean - An intermediate gardener

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Fulton, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I have grown this one every year since I discovered its great taste. I can't say enough wonderful things about how delicious this tomato is. Yes it is a bit of work for me to get the best yeild I can when compared with the modern hybrids but the taste makes it worth it. I grow my own vegtables for the flavor I can't get from the grocers so it is worth the effort.
 

Reviewed on 01/07/2007 by FlipTX - An intermediate gardener

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Harris, Texas, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

My Brandywine grew like mad, turning into a huge, rambling thing that I staked and tied to my chainlink fence to keep from falling over. This thing needs vigorous pruning and/or caging/staking for best results. My plant was very healthy for the first couple of months and surprisingly productive, considering the early spring heat we had, but disease set in quickly. I still got a decent number of fruit, though, and the flavor was amazing. It had almost a saltiness to it, and a silky but not mushy texture. I found that fruits harvested green and ripened indoors were nearly as tasty as those ripened on the vine, which kept the harvest away from the critters.
 

Reviewed on 01/01/2007 by yardener - An experienced gardener

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Lapeer, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Really great tastying heirloom.
 

Reviewed on 12/14/2006 by stephaniadawn - An intermediate gardener

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Lincoln, Oklahoma, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

is the best tomatoe that you shall ever try, but is a bugger t grow in the heat. is helpful if you will put it in a lrg tall cage, one you make or place four stakes around and place shade cloth over as cant stand alot of sun and mulch well. also if i use a drip or soaker hose under mulch defently helps
 

Reviewed on 12/13/2006 by Downinmyback - An intermediate gardener

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Dyer, Tennessee, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The best tasting tomato i have ever eaten but i only get tomato during the early summer because the southeast is not the brandywine favorite place. The yield is low but the flavor make me plant everyyear.Not a good variety for the heat.
 

Reviewed on 11/20/2006 by Nancy Strasser - An experienced gardener

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Pulaski, Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Excellent taste. Very large fruit: often ugly with splits and green shoulders. Still the best-tasting tomato I've grown. It will always have a place in my garden.
 

Reviewed on 09/11/2006 by Bill Pfeiffer - An experienced gardener

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Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

best tasting tomato but can crack and crop is not always consistently heavy. But the taste is worth the trouble and the wait.
 

Reviewed on 07/21/2006 by bugsy - An intermediate gardener

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Orange, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grew this early in the season for my area (started the seeds in early Feb) and this is the best tomato I have ever eaten raw. Sweet, rich, with very thin skins.
 

Reviewed on 06/12/2006 by jlo - An intermediate gardener

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Blue Earth, Minnesota, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is a great tomato plant to start with if you have never grown a heirloom. For an heirloom it is relatively disease free with huge deep green potato leaves. I have purchased plants from different locations and have noticed slight differences in the taste and texture. I have always grown them in huge containers, however they need to be staked as well as a substantial cage, otherwise the heavy fruit will break the branches off. The fruit can be as large as 2 plus pounds. If they are too large I also tie the individual fruit to the cage as added support. The skin has a pink cast to it, but the interior is a deep red with none of the spongy white stuff in it. Great for slicing or BLT's. If the tomatoes are ripe on the vine and you see it is going to rain, pick the ripe ones. It is truely a sad event to walk out after a Summer rain to see a crop of huge Brandywines with their skins split. As a side benefit of container growing them on the patio, they are a very showy tall plant. I have them around the perimeter of the patio as a privacy hedge. The only down side to this tomato, other than the weekly up-keep of tying branches is that the shape of the blossom makes it difficult to pollinate. Also temps over 85 can cause the blossoms to drop off. One advantage of container grown plants is you can move them either into or out of the sun. I use my electric tooth brush to help pollinate by gently vibrating the flower. It made a big difference in the productivity.
 

Reviewed on 04/24/2006 by danceswithferrets - A novice gardener

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Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I understand the hype about this variety, because the taste and texture can't be beat. Production can leave a lot to be desired though, especially in hotter climates. This is a variety you want to start as early as possible, because once it gets hot, it will stop setting any fruit.
 
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Reviewed on 03/15/2006 by jamin - An intermediate gardener

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Chippewa, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I grew these about 5 years ago, after hearing everyone rave about the flavor. The yeild was fine, the tomatoes were big and ugly, the taste was TERRIBLE. I never grew them again. I can't understand what all the hoopla is about with this variety.
 

Reviewed on 02/10/2006 by jpatti - An intermediate gardener

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Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season:
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I consider the gardening years in which I grew other varieties to be wasted time. I can't imagine that I'd ever not grow these - they are simply divine. Require a bit more work? Yup. Ugly? Yup. But the taste is like nothing else.
 

Reviewed on 01/21/2006 by farfish - An experienced gardener

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Greene, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I have read that heirloom varieties are less productive and more prone to disease than hybrids. I have been getting good production from Brandywines, and they were as hardy as my Big Beef plants. They are a regular part of my garden.
 

Reviewed on 01/20/2006 by Becky - An experienced gardener

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Maine, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I just can't get heirlooms to grow for me. Not for lack of trying.
 

Reviewed on 12/01/2005 by Joachim - An experienced gardener

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Fairfield, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Brandywine (Sudduth or Quisenberry strain) is the best tasting tomato bar none, the true King of Tomatodom. I was fortunate to discover Brandywine through the Seed Saver Exchange when this variety was first introduced. Back then there was only one Brandywine (pink), which was the original Sudduth or Quisenberry strain. Make sure that you grow this strain as there are many inferior strains on the market. Johnny's sells the original Brandywine Quisenberry strain. After I grew one Brandywine plant next to my old favorites I immediately became convinced that this was by far the best tomato I have ever tasted. My opinion has not changed in nearly 20 years. Every year I grew different taste champions alongside Brandywine only to discover that my family and I always preferred Brandywine. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am a big Brandywine fan, by the way not only due to the wonderful flavor but also due to the truly unique mouth watering texture of a vine-ripened Brandywine. I agree with most statements made from other rating members regarding yield and heat sensitivity. As experienced Brandywine growers know, Brandywine does not set fruit in hot weather (due to defective blossoms or split calyces), even here in Southern CT?s zone 5. As Brandywine is a late season variety, start the plants early and get them into the ground as early as possible. I plant well established, hardened, stocky plants out in early May and go out of my way to protect them against cold temperatures. Most gardeners are growing tomatoes in far too rich soil or over-fertilized soil or use too much fresh compost. Plants are stressed by growing too fast which results in blossom end rot and reduced fruit set so avoid these mistakes and enjoy what all seed suppliers describe as the best tasting variety. By the way, Brandywine finally found it's match. Marianna's Peace, introduced by Garry Ibsen's TomatoFest mail order company, tastes equally superior to all other heirlooms and hybrids on the market and is easier to grow compared to Brandywine.
 

Reviewed on 11/10/2005 by Beach Bum HB - An experienced gardener

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Orange, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

My favorite
 

Reviewed on 03/15/2005 by Sahale - An experienced gardener

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Seneca, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Gigantic plant with relatively few tomatoes. The tomatoes are gargantuan, but they catface and distort badly. My flavor score is low because the weather is too cold to ripen flavorful tomatoes by the time these turn color in mid September. There is a bit of an unusual wininess that is the hint of what they can do in a warmer location.
 

Reviewed on 03/03/2005 by snowgrass - An intermediate gardener

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Clinton, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Great tasting tomato, but ripening late here in the North Country. I also find that snails are especially fond of these, probably because of their soft skin.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/07/2005 by morethanbeans - An intermediate gardener

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Texas, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Brandywine is great to start indoors around October and then begin transitioning in January, plant in February, make sure to pinch any runners to have lots of flowers. I have tomatoes ready in June. Use good compost tea, and this plant is a sure thing even in Texas.
 

Reviewed on 02/02/2005 by Buffalola -

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Erie, New York, United States
Frost Free Season:
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Oh please! To read about this tomato you'd think it was the ONLY tomato!

It's very flavorful---BUT it doesn't produce well & it has a very long growing season. If you don't have much space, & live in a short season area, you'll want too grow an early & mid season tomato with Brandywine or you'll be waiting for tomatoes until September.

 

Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by BigdaddyJ - An experienced gardener

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Delaware, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Best tasting tomato ever along with Pruden's Purple. Don't like heat. Some years great production others little. But my ratings are based on taste. This one deserves a spot in top 3.....
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by vgkg - An experienced gardener

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Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

to be more specfic, "Pink" or "Sudduth" strain of Brandywine. #1 on my table
 

Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by maternut - An experienced gardener

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Tennessee, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The yield is about the only complaint , I have with this tomatoe.
 

Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by magic8balltx - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Texas, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I had heard so many good things about Brandywine's taste that I was eagerly anticipating eating them. My rating is low because I bought the wrong seed for my region and didn't realize it 'til later! If I'd read this review column beforehand I'd know that our hot Texas summers are too much for Brandywine (a clue might have been that the seed company is located in Maine, haha). The plants did well and even flowered quite a bit but no tomatoes set until about September. Live and learn! I pickled the green tomatoes I picked right after Thanksgiving.... when it finally cools off for good here. I was unable to rate the taste when ripe........ : )
 

Reviewed on 12/16/2004 by Sal - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Great-tasting fresh tomato. Low yield in cool years.
 




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