How to Grow Buckeye Belle
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Buckeye Belle
Solanum lycopersicum 'Buckeye Belle'
vegetableBuckeye Belle is a heirloom slicing tomato variety known for its deep crimson color and rich, complex flavor. This determinate bush plant produces medium to large fruits weighing 6-8 ounces with excellent disease resistance. It's a popular choice among home gardeners for its productivity and outstanding taste.
When should you plant Buckeye Belle in your zone?
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Example Buckeye Belle timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Buckeye Belle
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 Buckeye Belle
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Buckeye Belle dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10, with best performance in zones 5-8
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge 5-10 days after planting. Cotyledons (seed leaves) are pale and narrow.
Maintain consistent moisture and provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Keep soil temperature around 70-75°F. Thin or transplant to avoid crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and grows 6-12 inches tall. Bushy, determinate growth habit becomes apparent.
Transplant to larger containers or garden when 2-3 true leaves appear. Harden off before planting outdoors. Begin staking or caging early. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters on the plant. First flowers typically appear 4-6 weeks after transplanting in the garden.
Maintain consistent watering; fluctuations can cause flower drop or blossom end rot. Continue supporting with stakes or cages. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
Fruit Development
4-5 weeksFlowers transition to small green fruits that grow rapidly to medium-large size (6-8 oz). Fruits gradually accumulate dark crimson color as they mature.
Provide steady water supply and support heavy fruit loads with sturdy cages. Monitor for disease and pests. Prune excess foliage if needed for air circulation.
Harvest
2-3 weeks onwardFruits reach full deep crimson color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe fruits detach easily from the vine.
Pick ripe tomatoes regularly to encourage continued production. Can harvest at breaker stage and ripen indoors if frost threatens. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars daily. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for severe infestations. Encourage parasitic wasps by planting flowering plants nearby.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly. Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring. Maintain good air circulation around plants.
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Increase humidity and water plants regularly. Spray with strong water stream to dislodge mites. Use miticide if severe; apply neem oil as preventative.
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Remove with strong water spray or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Remove lower leaves touching soil. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper or sulfur-based fungicide preventatively. Buckeye Belle has good resistance.
Uses
Fresh slicing and cooking
CulinaryBuckeye Belle's rich, well-balanced flavor makes it ideal for fresh slicing in salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. Its medium-large size and firm flesh also work well for cooking applications including sauces and salsas. [source]
Sauce and preserving
CulinaryThe deep color and good acidity of Buckeye Belle make it suitable for making tomato sauce, paste, and canned products. Home gardeners often preserve this variety for use throughout the year. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Buckeye Belle is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. It also provides vitamin C, potassium, and other beneficial phytochemicals. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers of Buckeye Belle plants attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during the growing season, supporting local beneficial insect populations. [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 fully colored and slightly soft to touch—typically 70-80 days after transplanting. Pick in the morning for best flavor. Can pick at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. With proper care, determinate varieties like Buckeye Belle produce most fruit within a concentrated period of 4-6 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Buckeye Belle is an heirloom variety developed by Ohio State University, hence the name reference to Ohio's state nickname 'The Buckeye State.'
- 🌱 This variety is known for its exceptional disease resistance to Early Blight, a major problem in humid growing regions, making it a favorite for organic growers.
- 🌱 The 'Buckeye' series of tomatoes (including Buckeye Cherry and others) was part of a breeding program specifically designed to create superior disease-resistant heirloom varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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