Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Solanaceae
Native
Andes
Life Cycle
Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Height
Vines up to 6' or longer
Further Information
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
About Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum (hybrid)
12-15 oz. pink, ribbed fruit. "Big Brandy" is an indeterminate type tomato.
Planting Tomato
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 24" - 36"
Light Required
Full sun; at least 6 hours per day. Temperatures above 55°F at night are required for fruit set. Night temperatures above 75°F in the summer inhibit fruit set.
Plant Height
Vines up to 6' or longer
Planting Depth
1/4"
Coverage & Planting Details
| Coverage | This packet yields approximately 8 plants when started indoors. |
|---|---|
| Row Spacing | 36" |
| Seed Depth | 1/4" |
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 24" - 36" |
| Thinning | When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 24" - 36" |
| Germination | 5-10 days |
| Start Indoors | RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting. Transplant when air temperature is 45°F or warmer, usually 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°-90°F. |
| Direct Sow | For mild climates only: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F. |
| Special Sowing | Tomatoes benefit from a different planting method than other plants. Part of the stem gets buried; when covered with soil, it will develop more roots, and more roots means more nutrients and water for the plant. When transplanting seedlings, either 1) plant them deeply, burying the stem; or 2) set each plant almost horizontally in the ground, leaving one to two sets of leaves above ground. The top of the seedling above ground will naturally reach toward the sun and right itself. When using a support, place the stake in position at transplanting time to avoid root damage. |
| Special Care | Do not mulch when weather is still cool; the roots of young plants need to be in soil that is warmed by the sun. When the weather warms up and plants are established, mulch to a depth of 2" or 3" with a material such as straw, leaves, or compost, to conserve moisture, reduce weed growth, and keep the roots warm. |
| Growing & Harvesting | "Big Brandy" tomatoes are at the peak of sun-ripened deliciousness when dark pink in color, and have a slight give when gently squeezed. Tomatoes may also be picked at the "first blush" stage, when 50% of the tomatoes' color has begun to change, and ripened at room temperature without decreasing flavor or nutrition. Picking often and early increases yield, and decreases the risk of cracking and pest damage. Ripe fruit left on the vine during rain or watering is more susceptible to splitting. About 1 month before the average first fall frost, clip all blossoms and undersized fruit off the plant, signaling to the plant to ripen what's left. Pick any unripe fruit before frost, and store them indoors in a single layer away from direct sunlight to ripen. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
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