How to Grow Sunny Bordeaux Tomato

Sunny Bordeaux Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Sunny Bordeaux'

vegetable

Sunny Bordeaux is a determinate heirloom tomato variety known for its deep burgundy-red color with subtle striping and rich, complex flavor. These medium-sized fruits (4-6 oz) combine the sweetness of cherry tomatoes with the depth of beefsteak varieties, making them excellent for fresh eating and cooking.

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Example Sunny Bordeaux Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sunny Bordeaux Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Sunny Bordeaux Tomato
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sunny Bordeaux Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours ideal for best flavor)

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Water: Consistent watering, 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid wetting foliage and reduce disease

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Bury transplant deeply; can bury up to the first true leaves to encourage stronger root development

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure bone meal calcium (crushed eggshells or lime)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge, followed by the first true leaves with the characteristic tomato shape.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light 14-16 hours daily; thin seedlings to strongest one per cell.

Transplant Establishment

3-4 weeks

Young plants develop 4-6 true leaves and a more robust stem; ready for potting up or hardening off.

Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days; provide support as stem strengthens; avoid overfeeding with nitrogen.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Plant grows vigorously with increasing leaf mass and branching; determinate varieties stay relatively compact.

Install support cage or stakes early; remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation; pinch out suckers if desired for bushier growth.

Flowering & Fruit Set

2-3 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters; flowers self-pollinate and develop into green marble-sized fruits.

Maintain consistent watering and moderate fertilizer (balanced or slightly higher potassium); ensure good air circulation; avoid excessive nitrogen which reduces fruiting.

Ripening & Harvest

3-4 weeks; harvest extends until frost

Fruits develop their deep burgundy-red color with characteristic striping; skin becomes glossy and firm; flavors deepen.

Continue consistent watering; reduce nitrogen, maintain potassium; harvest when fully colored but still slightly firm for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil parsley carrots marigolds borage garlic onions nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) fennel potatoes corn

Common Pests

Hand-pick; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if needed
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; ensure good air circulation
Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; increase humidity
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide if needed
Mulch to prevent soil splash; remove lower leaves; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; space plants well
Maintain consistent soil moisture; ensure adequate calcium; mulch to regulate moisture

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Salads

Culinary

The rich, complex flavor with balanced sweetness and acidity makes Sunny Bordeaux ideal for eating fresh. Slice for salads, serve with fresh mozzarella, or enjoy straight from the vine as the perfect sandwich tomato. [source]

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Sauce & Paste Production

Culinary

The deep color, rich flavor, and meaty texture make this variety excellent for making tomato sauce, paste, or soup. The burgundy color carries through to finished products, creating visually striking dishes. [source]

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Antioxidant Health Benefits

Medicinal

The deep burgundy-red color indicates high levels of lycopene and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants associated with reduced inflammation and cardiovascular health. Regular consumption supports overall wellness. [source]

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Seed Saving

Craft

As an heirloom variety, Sunny Bordeaux is excellent for seed saving, allowing gardeners to preserve this variety year after year and potentially breed locally adapted strains. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting your garden ecosystem and ensuring good fruit set while benefiting neighboring plants. [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 the touch. Sunny Bordeaux fruits can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) and ripened indoors if needed. For peak flavor, allow full ripening on the vine. Pick in the morning after dew dries. Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate as cold temperatures diminish flavor.

Fun Facts

🌱 The 'Bordeaux' designation refers to the deep burgundy wine color characteristic of the Bordeaux region of France, which this tomato's color closely resembles when fully ripe.
🌱 Sunny Bordeaux is a determinate (bush) variety, meaning it reaches a set size and fruits concentrate in a shorter window—perfect for canning and processing—unlike indeterminate vining varieties that produce all season.
🌱 Dark-pigmented heirloom tomatoes like Sunny Bordeaux contain higher levels of anthocyanins (the same compounds that make blueberries blue) in addition to lycopene, giving them both deeper color and potentially greater antioxidant benefits.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Hardening Off Heirloom Sucker True Leaves

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