Growing Brandywines in Wisconsin

BackyardFarm · July 29, 2015

I'm a pretty new gardener and my first couple years I grew a "Brandywine" from a local greenhouse, last year and this year I started seeds from a Burpee packet labeled "Pink Brandywine".
This year's seedlings did not survive but I have a Pruden's Purple I was growing to compare that did (so far...though now the leaves are not looking so great and I'm worried!).

Anyways...I was wondering if anyone here has successfully grown a certain strain, or cross, or brandywine like tomato in Wisconsin or in zone 4? (I'm 4b so maybe I should ask about zone 5 as well?)
The first two years I grew it from the plant it was the best tasting tomato I've ever had...but it didn't produce a lot (I think 5-6 tomatoes...maybe) so I'm on the hunt for something similar that will produce more and earlier.

I'm thinking of getting Sudduth's, Cowlick's, and BrandyBoy seeds to compare with the Pruden's Purple and the Burpee seeds.

Should I try anything else in Wisconsin zone 4b? Just give up without a greenhouse?

dustdevil · July 29, 2015

Brandywines aren't big producers for me in upper WI. Try Black of Tula.

Yak54 · July 29, 2015

I can't speak for WI, but for me in Ohio, most of the different Brandywine types are not big producers either. I've had the best production from the Cowlick's type. Also you may consider Stump of the World as an alternative.

Dan

KarenO · July 29, 2015

At 90 days brandy wines are quite late for a northern garden. There are quite a few delicious large pinks that would do better for you. Stump of the world as nentioned, along many other midseason varieties like Caspian pink. Lots and lots of hearts too. Fish lake oxheart is a great one
KarenO

b54red · July 29, 2015

I surely don't know anything about growing that far north but I can say as someone who has tried a lot of the large pink beefsteaks that Limbaugh's Legacy is usually a good bit earlier and much more productive than most of the Brandywines. I don't think it is quite as good tasting but it is close like Prudens Purple which is even earlier. Limbaugh's also is really good at ripening in cooler conditions and that is why it is one of my favorite fall tomatoes. I also have good luck with Carbon and Berkley Tie Die Pink in the fall. I agree on Fish Lake Oxheart because it is one of the better tasting hearts to me and is very early.

Bill

buckyb3 · July 29, 2015

I give a strong vote for Caspian Pinks , good taste big fruit and more production. I'm in western NY. also earlier than 90 day types.

MissS · July 29, 2015

I grow Brandywine almost every year. I grow a strain that I got years ago and also Cowlick's. It is quite productive for me or at least more so than it is for most people. I get 10-15 fruit off of a plant.

I also enjoy Stump of the World, Barlow Jap, Rebel Yell and WinsAll. There are plenty of tomatoes out there that you can try for yourself. Do not feel that your zone limits what you grow.

Farmette · July 30, 2015

My garden is in zone 4b too and I have been able grow Brandywine Sudduth. Yes, it wasn't a great producer, but I grew quite a few other varieties, but the Brandywine was great tasting for me. I think Liz Birt is a Brandywine cross and it is a workhorse for me. I love potato leaf varieties, so combine that with the production, flavor and beauty of LB and you've got a pretty good tomato. I'm growing Brandy Boy for the first time this year. Don't know about flavor, but it is a very good producer for me. Hope this helps. Bottom line is you can grow Brandywine's; just experiment and know that you will probably want to supplement with some of the many other worthy varieties out there.

Gardeneer · July 30, 2015

After trying the original BW 3 seasons ( in GA and WA) i gave up . Now I any trying Brandy Boy ( a Burpee Hybrid) . No ripe ones yet ( any day now) but ts doing much better than his mama.

I have got some well over s pound each.

Salaam · July 30, 2015

For what it's worth, I've successfully grown productive Brandywines from seed and from seedlings bought at the store in an Earthtainer here in zone 5a. Last year, they started producing late, partly because it was a rainy summer, but then produced well into October. I must say though last year I was giving them copious amounts of Miracle Gro fertilizer because all my plants had some disease or another. But previously, I only used organic.

This year, I bought some pink and yellow Brandywine seedlings and put them in ground with only a little organic fertilizer, and they've got lots of fruit. I don't know what strain they are, but they're Brandywines, not crosses.

I find that the seedlings I get at the big box store may be hardier than the ones I grew myself or got at a nearby small organic operation. But I'm not sure - there are too many variables.

Ed of Somis · July 30, 2015

I have to say...my experiences with Brandywine has changed since I grew the "Cowlick's" strain. Camo was right...it is super productive, big, and tasty. Agreeing with Miss...

BackyardFarm · July 30, 2015

Whoa. I got sick yesterday and went to bed quite early, I check back this morning and a bunch of responses! Brandywine really is a popular topic.

First, Hi everyone! And thanks for your replies!

dustdevil, Black from Tula is actually on my list for next year already!

Yak54 and KarenO, I've heard many good things about Stump of the World, it's actually on my list for next year too. I just forgot to add it to my post.

b54red, So far my Pruden's Purple was far stronger and bigger than my Pink Brandywine (which died unfortunately) I'm very excited to try my first tomato from it.

BackyardFarm · July 30, 2015

buckyb3 and everyone else who mentioned it, I think I will look for Caspian Pink and Fish Lake Oxheart seeds. I've been doing some reading on sauce tomatoes and thinking I need an oxheart to trial in my garden.

MissS, Farmette, and Ed of Somis, I'm looking forward to trying some named varieties. I've heard they do better. I think I'll also look at the local greenhouse and see if they offer Brandywine plants in 2016 to do a comparison with everything else. I'm very excited to trial them all.

Gardeneer (and Farmette) I'm hopeful for the flavor of Brandy Boy!

Salaam, my earthtainers are the best thing to happen to my garden. The tomatoes are so HAPPY! I'm super excited for 2016.

TightenUp · July 30, 2015

Brandy Boy is delicious and productive for me. might be my fav hybrid

July 29, 2015	#1
BackyardFarm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Wisconsin, zone 4b Posts: 360	Growing Brandywines in Wisconsin I'm a pretty new gardener and my first couple years I grew a "Brandywine" from a local greenhouse, last year and this year I started seeds from a Burpee packet labeled "Pink Brandywine". This year's seedlings did not survive but I have a Pruden's Purple I was growing to compare that did (so far...though now the leaves are not looking so great and I'm worried!). Anyways...I was wondering if anyone here has successfully grown a certain strain, or cross, or brandywine like tomato in Wisconsin or in zone 4? (I'm 4b so maybe I should ask about zone 5 as well?) The first two years I grew it from the plant it was the best tasting tomato I've ever had...but it didn't produce a lot (I think 5-6 tomatoes...maybe) so I'm on the hunt for something similar that will produce more and earlier. I'm thinking of getting Sudduth's, Cowlick's, and BrandyBoy seeds to compare with the Pruden's Purple and the Burpee seeds. Should I try anything else in Wisconsin zone 4b? Just give up without a greenhouse?

July 29, 2015	#7
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,150	I grow Brandywine almost every year. I grow a strain that I got years ago and also Cowlick's. It is quite productive for me or at least more so than it is for most people. I get 10-15 fruit off of a plant. I also enjoy Stump of the World, Barlow Jap, Rebel Yell and WinsAll. There are plenty of tomatoes out there that you can try for yourself. Do not feel that your zone limits what you grow. __________________ ~ Patti ~

July 30, 2015	#14
TightenUp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 1,183	Brandy Boy is delicious and productive for me. might be my fav hybrid __________________

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July 29, 2015	#2
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	Brandywines aren't big producers for me in upper WI. Try Black of Tula.

July 29, 2015	#3
Yak54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, OH, zone 6 Posts: 474	I can't speak for WI, but for me in Ohio, most of the different Brandywine types are not big producers either. I've had the best production from the Cowlick's type. Also you may consider Stump of the World as an alternative. Dan

July 29, 2015	#4
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	At 90 days brandy wines are quite late for a northern garden. There are quite a few delicious large pinks that would do better for you. Stump of the world as nentioned, along many other midseason varieties like Caspian pink. Lots and lots of hearts too. Fish lake oxheart is a great one KarenO

July 29, 2015	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I surely don't know anything about growing that far north but I can say as someone who has tried a lot of the large pink beefsteaks that Limbaugh's Legacy is usually a good bit earlier and much more productive than most of the Brandywines. I don't think it is quite as good tasting but it is close like Prudens Purple which is even earlier. Limbaugh's also is really good at ripening in cooler conditions and that is why it is one of my favorite fall tomatoes. I also have good luck with Carbon and Berkley Tie Die Pink in the fall. I agree on Fish Lake Oxheart because it is one of the better tasting hearts to me and is very early. Bill

July 29, 2015	#6
buckyb3 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Great Valley NY Posts: 3	I give a strong vote for Caspian Pinks , good taste big fruit and more production. I'm in western NY. also earlier than 90 day types.

July 30, 2015	#8
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	My garden is in zone 4b too and I have been able grow Brandywine Sudduth. Yes, it wasn't a great producer, but I grew quite a few other varieties, but the Brandywine was great tasting for me. I think Liz Birt is a Brandywine cross and it is a workhorse for me. I love potato leaf varieties, so combine that with the production, flavor and beauty of LB and you've got a pretty good tomato. I'm growing Brandy Boy for the first time this year. Don't know about flavor, but it is a very good producer for me. Hope this helps. Bottom line is you can grow Brandywine's; just experiment and know that you will probably want to supplement with some of the many other worthy varieties out there.

July 30, 2015	#10
Salaam Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 128	For what it's worth, I've successfully grown productive Brandywines from seed and from seedlings bought at the store in an Earthtainer here in zone 5a. Last year, they started producing late, partly because it was a rainy summer, but then produced well into October. I must say though last year I was giving them copious amounts of Miracle Gro fertilizer because all my plants had some disease or another. But previously, I only used organic. This year, I bought some pink and yellow Brandywine seedlings and put them in ground with only a little organic fertilizer, and they've got lots of fruit. I don't know what strain they are, but they're Brandywines, not crosses. I find that the seedlings I get at the big box store may be hardier than the ones I grew myself or got at a nearby small organic operation. But I'm not sure - there are too many variables.

July 30, 2015	#11
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	I have to say...my experiences with Brandywine has changed since I grew the "Cowlick's" strain. Camo was right...it is super productive, big, and tasty. Agreeing with Miss...