Tomato ‘Burlesque’ is a beefsteak tomato that was bred by Burpee.  ‘Burlesque’ is a traditional looking, ‘tomato red’ coloured, large beefsteak tomato.

Tomato ‘Burlesque’ is a lovely meaty tomato.  These tomatoes are juicy and sweet with a delicious, full flavour.  Burlesque’s flavour is at its most intense at the first moment you bite into the tomato.  I love to add ‘Burlesque’ tomatoes to sandwiches and salads; they are also a real delight served with torn basil leaves, a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, yummy!  Another favourite is a slice of grilled Burlesque tomato on toast.  We’ve used these tomatoes in all kinds of recipes, including Meera Sodha’s delicious tomato curry, our own homemade tomato sauce, vegan spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne, and more.

When growing tomatoes, it’s important to remember that tomato plants are tender – frost will kill tomato plants.  We need to time our sowings to make the most of our summer months and ensure we allow our plants sufficient time to produce and ripen their fruits before the frosts arrive in autumn.  In the UK, in order to successfully generate a harvest of tomatoes, we need to give our tomato plants a head start and to do this we sow tomato seeds in pots inside polytunnels or greenhouses, porches or conservatories in February, March, and April; alternatively, if you don’t have a greenhouse or conservatory, you can sow tomato seeds on a particularly bright and sunny window sill.  If you only have a window sill available for sowing tomato seeds it’s better to wait and sow window sill tomatoes later on in March and April, as the light levels will be too low indoors earlier in the year and your seedlings will struggle.  Tomato seeds need warmth to germinate and these plants will need continuous protection until the frosts have passed.

Once all risk of frost has passed, which in the UK can be anytime from the end of May to the middle of June (late spring to early summertime), tomato plants can be gradually hardened off by moving the plants outside in the daytime and then bringing the plants safely back undercover at night.  Repeat this every day.  Hardening plants off may seem like an unnecessary hassle or a waste of time, but I promise you it is worth it; as your plants will repay you by more rapidly adjusting to their new environment, thanks to your investment in them.  I’d recommend spending a minimum of two weeks (but ideally four weeks) to harden off your plants and ensure they’re fully acclimatised to their new outdoor space before you make it their permanent residence.

After being hardened off tomato plants are ready to be planted outdoors in garden beds and borders, or in containers filled with good quality composts.  Alternatively, the tomato plants will be delighted to remain where they are and grow to full size inside polytunnels or greenhouses – this is often a preferable option for gardeners in colder areas.

It’s important to provide a good support system for tomato plants.  The best support system I’ve found so far has been the various homemade support frames that we have made from wood.  I like to use a wooden support frame that sits alongside and above my tomato plants.  I take long lengths of strong twine and gently (and loosely) tie the twine under a pair of my plant’s lower leaves (remember not to cut the twine to size until the end).  When tying the twine, ensure there is adequate room for your plant’s stem to widen and grow larger in size as the plant matures, and then carefully and gently wind the twine around your plant’s stem and tie the twine to the top of the framework; as your tomato plant grows taller you simply twist the twine around the stem to continue supporting your plants as they grow.  I find this method is easy, quick, and very effective (providing the twine you use is strong enough).

Beefsteak tomato plants like ‘Burlesque’ require more water than plants that produce smaller tomatoes (like cherry tomatoes), so it’s vital that you provide your plants with adequate water during times of drought, or your beefsteak tomato plants will be unable to produce any fruit (or will only be able to produce tiny or smaller-sized fruit).  Tomato flavours are affected by the quantity of water the tomato plants receive, more intense flavours can be found in tomatoes grown from plants that have received less water than others, but this is not at the detriment of the plant – enough water is needed for the plant to produce fruit – this is essential.

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