How to Grow Brigadier
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Brigadier
Solanum lycopersicum 'Brigadier'
vegetableBrigadier is a disease-resistant determinate tomato variety bred specifically for commercial and home gardens in challenging climates. It produces medium-sized, red round fruits with excellent flavor and remarkable resistance to early blight, late blight, and other fungal diseases. This variety is particularly valued for its reliability and vigor in humid or disease-prone regions.
When should you plant Brigadier in your zone?
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Example Brigadier timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Brigadier
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 Brigadier
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Brigadier dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; excellent for cooler and humid climates
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Seedling
3-4 weeks indoorsSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate and light green. Cotyledons initially appear, followed by development of true tomato-shaped leaves.
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Maintain temperatures 65-75°F. Thin if overcrowded.
Transplant/Hardening
1-2 weeks before field plantingStocky seedlings 6-8 inches tall with 6-8 true leaves, ready for transplanting outdoors. Plants should be acclimated to outdoor conditions.
Harden off gradually over 7-10 days by exposing to outdoor light, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Plant after last frost date when soil reaches 60°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants rapidly grow in height and leaf mass, developing strong stems and branch structure. Flowers begin to appear at leaf axils after 3-4 weeks in-ground.
Support with stakes, cages, or trellis early. Water consistently. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced tomato fertilizer. Pinch suckers on indeterminate varieties if needed (Brigadier is determinate, requiring less pruning). Mulch around base to retain moisture and suppress disease.
Flowering & Fruit Set
4-5 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses). After pollination, tiny green fruits develop at flower sites. Fruits grow rapidly over 2-3 weeks.
Maintain consistent watering—critical to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses when possible. Continue regular fertilization. Monitor closely for early blight and late blight; remove lower diseased foliage if needed. Ensure good air circulation.
Ripening & Harvest
3-4 weeksFruits transition from green to mature red color over 2-3 weeks. Plant produces full crop of ripe fruits; determinate variety reaches peak production quickly then tapers off.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; shift to higher phosphorus if needed to encourage ripening. Harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) or full red. Handle carefully to avoid bruising. Remove plants after heavy frost or when production ceases.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove affected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide or sulfur if needed. Brigadier has strong resistance.
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This is one of Brigadier's key resistances. Avoid overhead watering; remove diseased foliage; apply copper-based fungicides as preventive in humid conditions.
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Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage predatory wasps; remove weeds like nightshade that harbor them.
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; yellow sticky traps; neem oil; reflective mulch.
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Increase humidity; strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; predatory mites.
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide preventively.
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryBrigadier tomatoes offer excellent flavor with good balance of sweetness and acidity, making them ideal for fresh slicing, salads, and garnishes. The medium size fits well on sandwich slices. [source]
Cooking and sauce production
CulinaryWith their firm flesh and balanced flavor profile, Brigadier tomatoes are excellent for making tomato sauce, marinara, and other cooked tomato dishes. [source]
Antioxidant-rich whole food
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium, supporting heart health and immune function. Lycopene content increases when tomatoes are cooked. [source]
Disease-resistant home garden variety
HouseholdBrigadier's resistance to early blight and late blight makes it ideal for organic gardening and humid climates, reducing need for fungicide applications and supporting sustainable growing practices. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators essential for fruit set, supporting broader garden ecosystem health. [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 reach full red color, typically 70-85 days after transplanting. Brigadier, being determinate, produces most of its crop over 2-3 weeks rather than all season. Pick fruits at the breaker stage (first color change) to allow continued ripening indoors if needed and to encourage further fruit production. Gently twist and lift to remove. Use garden shears if stem is tough. Can pick slightly pink fruits and ripen indoors at 68-77°F. End-of-season green fruits can be ripened indoors or used for fried green tomatoes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Brigadier was bred specifically for disease resistance in cool, wet climates like the UK and Northern Europe, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in challenging regions where other tomato varieties struggle.
- 🌱 This is a determinate (bush) variety that concentrates its entire harvest into a short window of 2-3 weeks, making it ideal for canning, sauce-making, and large-batch preservation rather than continuous summer picking.
- 🌱 Tomatoes can absorb more water from their roots when potted than when growing in garden soil, which is why consistent watering—and good drainage—is crucial to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking in Brigadier.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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