How to Grow QLD Burgundy
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QLD Burgundy
Solanum lycopersicum 'QLD Burgundy'
vegetableQLD Burgundy is an Australian heirloom tomato variety known for its deep burgundy-red color and rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate vine tomato produces medium-sized fruits with excellent taste and disease resistance, making it popular in warm climates. It's particularly well-suited to Queensland's subtropical conditions.
When should you plant QLD Burgundy in your zone?
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Example QLD Burgundy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant QLD Burgundy
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 QLD Burgundy
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact QLD Burgundy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in warm zones 8b-11, excellent for subtropical and tropical regions
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Get my QLD Burgundy timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate and pale green
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F). Thin seedlings if direct sown.
Vegetative/Establishment
4-6 weeksRobust growth with increasingly larger leaves; plant develops strong stem and root system
Transplant when 4-6 true leaves appear. Install support structures early (stakes, cages, or trellises). Begin light fertilizing every 2 weeks. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses); plant continues to grow taller with new leaf development
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Apply balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer to support fruit set. Ensure adequate ventilation to aid pollination. Prune suckers between main stems to direct energy to fruit.
Fruiting/Development
4-6 weeksYoung green fruits develop from flowers; fruits gradually increase in size over 4-6 weeks
Switch to higher potassium fertilizer to support fruit development. Maintain steady watering; deep water 2-3 times weekly. Prune excess foliage carefully to allow light penetration to fruits. Monitor for pests and diseases weekly.
Ripening/Harvest
2-3 weeks per picking cycle; continues until frostFruits color from green to full burgundy-red; skin becomes glossy and fragrant
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to concentrate sugars. Maintain consistent moisture to prevent splitting. Pick fruits at full color or just before for best flavor. Continue harvesting side shoots for extended production as indeterminate variety.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae daily; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; neem oil application
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulches; encourage beneficial insects
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Regular misting to increase humidity; neem oil; sulfur spray; insecticidal soap; predatory mites
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Remove fallen fruit immediately; use fruit traps; maintain good sanitation; neem oil spray
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Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; copper or sulfur fungicides; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves; improve ventilation; fungicidal sprays; avoid overhead irrigation; crop rotation
Uses
Salads and fresh eating
CulinaryQLD Burgundy tomatoes are prized for their rich, complex flavor with sweet and slightly acidic notes. Their deep color and meaty texture make them excellent sliced fresh in salads, on sandwiches, or eaten out of hand. [source]
Cooking and sauces
CulinaryThe meaty flesh and concentrated sugars make QLD Burgundy ideal for sauces, soups, and cooked dishes. Their disease resistance and stable growth in warm climates produced reliable crops for Australian home cooks. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant associated with heart health and cancer prevention. The deep burgundy color indicates high antioxidant content, particularly anthocyanins and carotenoids. [source]
Seed saving and preservation
HouseholdAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, QLD Burgundy is ideal for saving seeds for future seasons. Ferment and dry seeds properly to ensure viable seed stock and maintain genetic purity. [source]
Heritage vegetable gardening
CraftQLD Burgundy represents Australian horticultural heritage and is valued by gardeners preserving heirloom varieties. Growing this variety supports biodiversity and cultural agricultural traditions. [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 colored burgundy-red and yield slightly to gentle pressure. For best flavor, pick fruits at full maturity on the vine. Use two hands to support the vine while harvesting. Indeterminate varieties continue producing until frost, typically 8-12 weeks of harvest season. Can be picked at the breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripened indoors if needed. Store at room temperature for best flavor; avoid refrigeration until fully ripe.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 QLD Burgundy is a native Australian heirloom variety specifically developed to thrive in Queensland's subtropical climate, making it exceptionally well-adapted to heat and humidity compared to European heirloom tomatoes.
- 🌱 The deep burgundy-red color comes from high levels of anthocyanins (the same compounds found in red wine), which develop more intensely in warm climates—perfect for Australian growing conditions.
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, QLD Burgundy will continue producing fruit until killed by frost, with a single plant potentially yielding 100+ fruits over a season in optimal conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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