Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Nature Notes Brandywine Tomatoes


Visit Michelle at the intelligent Nature Notes Thursday to learn something new.

Ryan asked what was wrong with my tomatoes that I don’t have any yet. I picked a Brandywine tomato this year and so it sounds like it might be August before I can start eating them.

And then watch out.



Here’s what the google machine said: “The original Brandywine is a large, meaty, pink tomato with coarse, heavy potato-like foliage. Individual fruit weight is up to a pound. A single slice is large enough to cover a hamburger bun. The growth form is indeterminate with plants taking on a rangy appearance as the summer wears on. They are late-producing with the first fruit not appearing for 90 to 100 days, about 30 days later than many cultivars.

You will probably not find Brandywine in local stores, but it’s a natural for the farmer’s market trade in August. Although the best known of all heirloom vegetables, it does have some flaws. It's low-yielding, tends to ripen unevenly, have green shoulders, catface and to crack badly if rainfall catches the ripening fruit at the wrong time.”

I hope these are as yummy as they sound. I don't know what catface is, but it does not sound appetizing.

7 comments:

Susan at Stony River said...

Doesn't sound easy to raise, but ... a one-pound tomato? Good grief! (and good luck! -- I can't wait to see these)

DeniseinVA said...

Looks like you've got a lovely crop there. Nothing like a home-grown tomato - my favorite sandwich, wheat bread with a little mayonnaise, slices of tomato with a dash of salt and pepper. Sometimes the simplest things are the best things :)
An English Girl Rambles

Leora said...

Cool! A neighbor grows really large tomatoes. The size of a truck, I'd say. I once tried a type similar to brandywine - the plant toppled over and never made it to production time. I stick to smaller tomatoes. We have had a few cherries...

Rambling Woods said...

They look like they are doing well Caron.. Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog. You are such a dear blog buddy... hugs...Michelle

eileeninmd said...

Your tomatoes look like they are doing great. I'm sure you can't wait to taste them.

Unknown said...

I have a small vegetable garden, with several tomato plants including one brandywine. Can anyone tell me what in the world would top the stalks off of the brandywine plants and not the others?? Critters of some sort? Our backyard is fenced in, so cannot be deer.

Thanks
M

Unknown said...

in following up with the last post. brandywine plants are 5 ft high.