How to Grow Benjamin Franklin
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Benjamin Franklin
Solanum lycopersicum 'Benjamin Franklin'
vegetableBenjamin Franklin is a heirloom indeterminate tomato variety known for its large, flavorful red fruits and exceptional disease resistance. This prolific producer yields abundant medium-to-large tomatoes throughout the season and was developed by Cornell University for superior flavor and resilience. It's prized by home gardeners for both taste and reliable performance in challenging growing conditions.
When should you plant Benjamin Franklin in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Benjamin Franklin timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Benjamin Franklin
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Benjamin Franklin
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Benjamin Franklin dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green shoots emerge with two cotyledons; first true leaves appear within 7-10 days
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily; maintain warmth (70-75°F); keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and a stronger stem; reaches 6-12 inches tall indoors
Thin to strongest seedling; provide gentle air circulation; begin hardening off 1-2 weeks before transplanting
Fruiting
4-6 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop rapidly; begin turning red within 20-30 days; multiple trusses bear fruit simultaneously
Water consistently; apply balanced or slightly lower nitrogen fertilizer; remove diseased leaves; maintain strong stakes/cages
Harvest & Mature
Until first frost (8-12 weeks)Fruits reach full size (6-8 oz) and deep red color; plant continues producing until frost
Pick fruit at full color or slight blush for best flavor; continue watering and feeding; prune suckers to encourage fruit ripening
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); neem oil spray
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Yellow sticky traps; strong water spray; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch; avoid overhead watering; copper fungicide
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Remove infected foliage; maintain spacing; copper-based fungicide; avoid wet foliage at night
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Increase humidity; neem oil; insecticidal soap; strong water spray
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slicing
CulinaryBenjamin Franklin tomatoes are exceptional for fresh eating with a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and complex flavor. Their large size and meaty texture make them ideal for slicing into salads, sandwiches, and heirloom tomato platters. [source]
Sauce & Preservation
CulinaryThe high pectin and acid content makes these tomatoes excellent for making sauce, paste, and canning. Their robust flavor concentrates beautifully when cooked down for marinara or salsa. [source]
Antioxidant Source
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular and prostate health. Benjamin Franklin tomatoes, like other red varieties, provide high levels of this beneficial compound. [source]
Disease Resistance
HouseholdBred at Cornell University, this variety was developed specifically for resistance to early blight and late blight, making it an excellent choice for organic gardeners and those in humid climates. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity and ecosystem health while ensuring excellent fruit set. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick tomatoes when fully red and slightly soft to pressure—this variety ripens fully on the vine for best flavor. Twist gently or cut with shears. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In late season, pick mature green tomatoes before first frost and ripen indoors at room temperature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Benjamin Franklin was developed by Cornell University specifically to resist both early and late blight, making it one of the most disease-resistant heirloom tomato varieties available to home gardeners.
- 🌱 This indeterminate variety can grow 6-8 feet tall and produce dozens of large tomatoes throughout the season, often outperforming modern hybrids in taste and reliability.
- 🌱 The variety was named after Benjamin Franklin, one of America's founding fathers and a prolific botanist and inventor who spent time in France studying agriculture and gardening practices.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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