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How to Grow Blakeney Red

Blakeney Red

Solanum lycopersicum 'Blakeney Red'

vegetable

Blakeney Red is a heritage beefsteak tomato variety known for its deep red color and rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate cultivar produces large fruits weighing 200-300 grams and is prized by gardeners for both taste and disease resistance. It's a reliable performer in maritime and cool climates, originally developed in the UK.

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Example Blakeney Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Blakeney Red

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Blakeney Red

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blakeney Red dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum, preferably 8+ hours for best fruiting
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Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Water deeply at soil level to avoid wetting foliage and prevent disease. Maintain even soil moisture to prevent fruit cracking and blossom end rot.
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Spacing: 24 inches
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Days to maturity: 70-85 days from transplant
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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; bury transplant stem up to lowest leaf set for stronger root development

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Well-rotted manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Balanced organic fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, particularly suited to cooler and maritime climates

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-3 true leaves, establishing root system indoors or under protection

Maintain consistent moisture and provide bright light (14-16 hours daily). Keep temperature between 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if multiple sprouts emerge.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks before transplant

Plants develop robust stems and extensive foliage, reaching transplant size (6-8 inches tall) with 4-6 true leaves

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Plant outdoors after all frost danger passes. Install support stakes or cages early to avoid root damage later.

3

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters (racemes) along the main stem and branches. Multiple flower trusses develop as plant matures.

Ensure consistent watering and adequate potassium for fruit set. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) on indeterminate varieties to direct energy to fruit production. Maintain air circulation.

4

Fruiting & Development

4-5 weeks

Young green fruits develop rapidly behind flowers. Fruits grow progressively larger, reaching full size before color change begins.

Maintain steady water supply to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer, increase phosphorus and potassium. Prune lower leaves for air circulation once fruits are visible higher on plant.

5

Ripening & Harvest

2-3 weeks per fruit cluster

Fruits transition from green to deep red color. Ripe fruits are fully red, slightly soft when gently squeezed, with glossy skin.

Harvest at full red color for peak flavor. Blakeney Red can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) and ripened indoors. Continue watering as plant produces throughout season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Carrots Parsley Borage Marigolds Nasturtiums Garlic Onions

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Kohlrabi Other solanums in same bed

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick large larvae; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for smaller infestations

  • Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; maintain good air circulation

  • Mist foliage regularly; use neem oil or sulfur spray; increase humidity

  • Prune lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash

  • Remove affected leaves immediately; apply copper or sulfur-based fungicides; avoid overhead watering

  • Remove infected leaves; improve spacing for airflow; apply copper fungicide

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Slicing

Culinary

Blakeney Red's large, meaty fruits and rich, complex flavor make it ideal for slicing and eating fresh in salads or on toast. The balanced sweet-acid profile and firm flesh resist becoming mushy, making it excellent for sandwich use. [source]

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Sauce & Cooking

Culinary

The high flesh-to-seed ratio and robust flavor develop beautifully when cooked down into sauces, soups, and stews. The natural sugars concentrate and acidity balances well in long-cooked preparations. [source]

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Lycopene & Antioxidants

Medicinal

Deeply red tomatoes like Blakeney Red are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with heart health and cancer prevention. Cooking or processing increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]

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Heritage Seed Saving

Craft

As a true-breeding heirloom variety, Blakeney Red is excellent for seed saving. Gardeners can preserve seeds from favorite plants and maintain this UK heritage cultivar year after year. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The abundant yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity while ensuring good 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

Harvest when fruits are fully red and slightly give when gently squeezed. Blakeney Red typically begins producing 70-85 days from transplant. For indeterminate varieties, continue harvesting throughout the growing season until frost. Pick fruits at the breaker stage (first hint of color) and ripen at room temperature if needed to redirect plant energy. Tomatoes ripen best at 68-77°F; below 50°F ripening slows significantly.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Blakeney Red was developed in the UK and is named after Blakeney, Norfolk, reflecting its heritage in maritime British gardening traditions where it thrives in cooler, damper climates.
  • 🌱 This variety is notably disease-resistant for a beefsteak tomato, making it more reliable than many large-fruited heirlooms, particularly in regions prone to fungal diseases.
  • 🌱 Indeterminate varieties like Blakeney Red can produce fruit continuously until frost, with a single plant potentially yielding 20-30+ large fruits over a season under ideal conditions.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun pH Sucker Transplant True Leaves
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