How to Grow Deep Red Burgundy Tomato
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Deep Red Burgundy Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Deep Red Burgundy'
vegetableDeep Red Burgundy is a heirloom indeterminate tomato known for its rich, dark burgundy-red color and complex, full-bodied flavor. The fruits are large, typically 8-12 ounces, with a dense texture that makes them excellent for slicing and cooking. This variety requires staking or caging and produces fruit throughout the growing season until frost.
When should you plant Deep Red Burgundy Tomato in your zone?
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Example Deep Red Burgundy Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Deep Red Burgundy Tomato
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 Deep Red Burgundy Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Deep Red Burgundy Tomato 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
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-3 true leaves developing after cotyledons
Provide bright light, maintain consistent moisture, thin seedlings to prevent crowding, keep temperature 70-75°F
Vegetative/Transplant Establishment
4-6 weeksPlants develop multiple true leaves and root systems; ready for transplanting at 6-8 weeks with 6-8 true leaves
Harden off gradually before transplanting, bury stem deeper to encourage strong roots, set up support system at planting time
Flowering
4-6 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant grows taller and develops more branches
Continue consistent watering, apply balanced fertilizer or tomato-specific fertilizer, prune suckers on indeterminate varieties, ensure 8-10 hours sunlight
Fruiting & Development
6-8 weeksGreen fruits form and enlarge; gradually turn burgundy-red as they mature
Maintain steady nitrogen-to-potassium ratio, provide support for heavy fruit, remove lower leaves for air circulation, watch for pests
Harvest
Ongoing until frostFruits reach full burgundy color and yield slightly to gentle pressure at the stem
Harvest when fully colored for best flavor, pick regularly to encourage more production, pick green fruits before first frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage parasitic wasps, inspect underside of leaves regularly
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Spray with strong water stream, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs or lacewings, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil, maintain good air circulation, use reflective mulch to confuse insects
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use neem oil, remove heavily infested leaves
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Improve air circulation, remove infected leaves immediately, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide preventatively in humid conditions
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Remove lower leaves, improve drainage, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide, stake plants for air flow
Uses
Slicing and Fresh Eating
CulinaryDeep Red Burgundy's large, meaty fruits are ideal for thick slices on sandwiches, salads, and as a showcase ingredient. The complex, full-bodied flavor is superior to most commercial tomatoes. [source]
Sauces and Cooking
CulinaryThe dense, low-water content makes this variety excellent for tomato sauces, pastes, and cooked dishes where you want deep color and concentrated flavor. It reduces well without becoming watery. [source]
Antioxidant Content
MedicinalBurgundy-red tomatoes are rich in lycopene and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants associated with heart health and anti-inflammatory benefits. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdAs an heirloom indeterminate variety, Deep Red Burgundy can be saved for seeds year after year, allowing gardeners to preserve genetics and reduce seed costs. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeTomato 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 burgundy-red and give slightly to gentle pressure. For peak flavor, allow fruits to mature on the vine. Once fully colored, fruits can be harvested and ripened at room temperature. Pick regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. Before the first frost, harvest all remaining fruits, including green ones, which will ripen indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Deep Red Burgundy is a true heirloom variety with dark burgundy undertones caused by increased anthocyanin levels, the same compound that makes blueberries blue.
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, Deep Red Burgundy will continue growing and producing fruit all season long until frost kills the plant, unlike determinate types that produce a single crop.
- 🌱 This variety was developed to combine the deep color and complex flavor of traditional heirlooms with the vigor and productivity needed for home gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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