Tomato ‘Burnley Gem’ Vegetable Seeds
Grow an Australian tomato favourite with compact bush growth, early production and flavourful round red fruit. Burnley Gem Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an open-pollinated, determinate tomato variety producing smooth, round red tomatoes approximately 4–7 cm in diameter.
Burnley Gem is valued for its relatively early production and ability to set fruit under warm, dry conditions. The medium-sized tomatoes have good flavour and are versatile enough for fresh eating, slicing, salads, sauces and preserving.
Unlike vigorous indeterminate tomatoes that continue extending throughout the season, Burnley Gem develops a more compact bush habit. This makes it a useful choice for gardeners wanting a manageable tomato plant while still producing useful quantities of standard-sized fruit.
Burnley Gem Tomato Seed Details
| Botanical name | Solanum lycopersicum |
|---|---|
| Variety | Burnley Gem |
| Pollination | Open-pollinated |
| Plant type | Warm-season, frost-tender annual tomato |
| Growth habit | Determinate / bush |
| Plant height | Approximately 75 cm–1 m under typical conditions |
| Fruit colour | Red when ripe |
| Fruit shape | Round / globe-shaped |
| Fruit size | Approximately 4–7 cm in diameter |
| Position | Full sun |
| Sowing depth | Approximately 5–6 mm |
| Germination | Approximately 5–14 days under suitable warm conditions |
| Plant spacing | Approximately 40–60 cm |
| Harvest | Approximately 70–80 days, depending on growing conditions |
Why Grow Burnley Gem Tomato?
- Australian tomato variety with a long history in home vegetable gardens.
- Open-pollinated variety with a compact determinate growth habit.
- Produces smooth, round red tomatoes approximately 4–7 cm across.
- Relatively early-producing variety, generally maturing in approximately 70–80 days.
- Known for setting fruit well under warm, dry growing conditions.
- Useful medium-sized fruit for fresh eating, salads, slicing, sauces and preserving.
- Bush growth is easier to manage than large indeterminate tomato vines.
- Suitable for vegetable gardens, raised beds and sufficiently large containers.
How to Grow Burnley Gem Tomato from Seed
Burnley Gem is a warm-season tomato that performs best in full sun with fertile, free-draining soil and consistent moisture. Its determinate growth habit produces a relatively compact bush compared with vigorous indeterminate tomato varieties.
- Choose a warm, sunny position.
Select a location receiving full sun. Tomatoes require good light and warmth for strong growth, flowering and fruit development. - Prepare fertile, free-draining soil.
Grow in fertile soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter where required. Good drainage is important, as tomatoes perform poorly in persistently waterlogged soil. - Sow the tomato seeds.
Sow approximately 5–6 mm deep into seedling trays, cells or small pots filled with quality seed-raising mix. Cover lightly and water gently. - Keep seedlings warm.
Tomato seeds germinate most reliably under warm conditions. Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged while seedlings establish. - Transplant after frost danger has passed.
Harden established seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Tomatoes are frost tender, so wait until conditions are reliably warm. - Allow sufficient space.
Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart to provide room for bush development and good airflow. - Water consistently.
Maintain reasonably even soil moisture, particularly while plants are flowering and fruit is developing. Water around the root zone where practical rather than routinely wetting the foliage. - Harvest when fully coloured.
Pick tomatoes once the fruit develops its mature red colour. Determinate varieties tend to produce a more concentrated crop than indeterminate tomatoes, so plants may provide a substantial harvest over a relatively short period.
When to Plant Burnley Gem Tomato Seeds in Australia
Burnley Gem is a warm-season, frost-tender tomato. The best sowing period depends on local climate, with gardeners in temperate and cool regions generally starting seed with additional warmth before transplanting outdoors once frost danger has passed.
| Climate | General Sowing Guide |
|---|---|
| Tropical | Best grown during the milder, drier part of the year; avoid establishing plants during periods of extreme heat, prolonged heavy rain or very high humidity where possible |
| Subtropical | Can be sown over an extended season, with late summer through spring often providing favourable conditions; consider local frost, heat and humidity |
| Temperate | Start indoors in late winter to early spring with additional warmth; transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed |
| Cool / frost-prone | Start seeds indoors with warmth in spring and transplant after the final frost once outdoor conditions are consistently warm |
For best results, consider local temperatures and frost risk rather than relying on the calendar alone. Tomato seedlings establish most strongly once both soil and air temperatures have warmed.
An Australian Tomato Variety
Burnley Gem is an Australian tomato variety that has been grown in home gardens for generations. It is associated with the Burnley horticultural tradition in Victoria and became valued as an early-producing, reliable tomato for Australian growing conditions.
The variety combines a manageable bush habit with useful medium-sized red fruit. Its ability to set fruit under hot, dry conditions has contributed to its reputation as a practical tomato for Australian vegetable gardens.
Burnley Gem should not be confused with other tomatoes carrying the Burnley name. Varieties such as Burnley Bounty, Burnley Metro and Burnley Surecrop have different growth habits, fruit characteristics and maturity periods.
Is Burnley Gem Determinate or Indeterminate?
Burnley Gem is a determinate tomato. Determinate tomatoes develop into a more compact bush and tend to produce much of their fruit over a more concentrated period than indeterminate varieties.
Plants generally reach approximately 75 cm–1 m under typical conditions, although final size varies according to climate, soil fertility and growing conditions.
Because the plant does not continually extend like an indeterminate vine, Burnley Gem generally requires less training and support than tall climbing tomato varieties.
However, a short stake or cage can still be useful once plants are carrying a heavy crop, particularly where branches may otherwise bend towards the ground.
Burnley Gem for Warm, Dry Conditions
One of Burnley Gem’s notable characteristics is its reputation for setting fruit well in hot, dry growing areas.
This does not mean established plants should be left without water. Consistent soil moisture remains important for healthy growth and good-quality fruit, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
Its useful fruit set under warmer conditions, relatively early production and compact growth habit have helped make Burnley Gem a practical choice for many Australian gardens.
During very hot weather, maintain adequate soil moisture and consider applying organic mulch around the root zone to reduce moisture loss and fluctuations in soil temperature.
Harvesting Burnley Gem Tomatoes
Burnley Gem is considered an early to mid-season tomato, with fruit generally reaching maturity in approximately 70–80 days under favourable conditions.
Harvest fruit once it develops its mature red colour and feels firm but ripe.
Fresh eating: Pick fully coloured tomatoes for salads, sandwiches and other fresh dishes.
Cooking: Ripe fruit can be harvested for sauces, soups, casseroles and other cooked tomato dishes.
Preserving: The relatively concentrated production of a determinate tomato can be useful when larger quantities of ripe fruit are wanted at the same time for sauce, bottling or other preserving.
Actual harvest timing varies according to temperature, sowing time, seedling establishment and local growing conditions.
How to Use Burnley Gem Tomatoes
Burnley Gem produces versatile medium-sized red tomatoes suitable for both fresh and cooked dishes.
- Fresh eating: Enjoy ripe tomatoes freshly harvested from the garden.
- Salads: Slice or cut into wedges for green salads and mixed tomato dishes.
- Sandwiches: Medium-sized round fruit is convenient for slicing.
- Sauces: Cook ripe fruit into homemade tomato sauces and pasta dishes.
- Soups and cooking: Use as a general-purpose cooking tomato.
- Bottling and preserving: Determinate production can provide a useful quantity of ripe tomatoes over a relatively concentrated period.
- Drying: Ripe fruit can also be sliced and dried for longer-term use.
Growing Burnley Gem Tomato in Pots
Burnley Gem’s determinate bush habit makes it more manageable for container growing than many tall indeterminate tomato varieties.
Choose a large container with excellent drainage and fill it with a fertile, good-quality growing medium. Position the container in full sun and provide a short stake or cage if the plant requires support as fruit develops.
Container-grown tomatoes can dry out rapidly during warm weather, so check soil moisture regularly. Consistent watering is particularly important once plants begin flowering and carrying fruit.
Although Burnley Gem has a relatively compact habit, avoid using undersized pots. Adequate root volume helps the plant maintain moisture and nutrients while supporting its developing crop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Burnley Gem Tomato?
Burnley Gem is an Australian open-pollinated tomato variety with a determinate bush growth habit. It produces round red fruit approximately 4–7 cm across and is known for relatively early production and useful fruit set in warm, dry conditions.
Is Burnley Gem an Australian tomato?
Yes. Burnley Gem is an Australian tomato variety associated with the Burnley horticultural tradition in Victoria and has a long history in Australian vegetable gardens.
Is Burnley Gem an open-pollinated tomato?
Yes. Burnley Gem is an open-pollinated tomato variety rather than an F1 hybrid.
Is Burnley Gem determinate or indeterminate?
Burnley Gem is determinate. It develops into a relatively compact bush and tends to produce its crop over a more concentrated period than an indeterminate tomato.
How tall does Burnley Gem Tomato grow?
Plants generally grow approximately 75 cm–1 m tall under typical conditions, although final plant size varies according to climate, soil fertility and growing conditions.
How large are Burnley Gem tomatoes?
The round red fruit is generally approximately 4–7 cm in diameter, placing Burnley Gem in the small-to-medium or medium-sized tomato range.
What colour are Burnley Gem tomatoes?
The fruit is green while developing and ripens to red.
Does Burnley Gem Tomato need staking?
Burnley Gem has a determinate bush habit and does not require the extensive staking and training used for tall indeterminate tomatoes. However, a short stake or cage can help support heavily laden branches and keep fruit off the ground.
Is Burnley Gem suitable for hot climates?
Burnley Gem has a reputation for setting fruit well under hot, dry conditions. Plants still require adequate moisture and appropriate care, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
How deep should I sow Burnley Gem Tomato seeds?
Sow seeds approximately 5–6 mm deep in quality seed-raising mix and maintain warm, consistently moist conditions during germination.
How long does Burnley Gem Tomato take to germinate?
Germination generally occurs within approximately 5–14 days under suitable warm conditions.
When should I plant Burnley Gem Tomato seeds in Australia?
In temperate and frost-prone areas, start seeds with warmth in late winter or spring and transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow tomatoes over a longer season but should choose planting periods that avoid the most difficult combinations of extreme heat, humidity and heavy rainfall.
How long does Burnley Gem Tomato take to harvest?
Burnley Gem generally reaches maturity in approximately 70–80 days under favourable conditions. Actual harvest timing depends on temperature, sowing time, seedling establishment and other growing conditions.
Can Burnley Gem Tomato be grown in pots?
Yes. Its determinate bush habit makes Burnley Gem suitable for a sufficiently large container. Use a fertile growing medium, provide excellent drainage and position the container in full sun.
Is Burnley Gem the same as Burnley Bounty?
No. Burnley Gem and Burnley Bounty are distinct tomato varieties. Burnley Gem is a determinate bush tomato producing approximately 4–7 cm round fruit, whereas Burnley Bounty has different growth and fruit characteristics.
Can I save seeds from Burnley Gem tomatoes?
Burnley Gem is open-pollinated, so seed can be saved from healthy, true-to-type fruit. To maintain varietal purity, growers should minimise unintended cross-pollination with other tomato varieties when producing seed for future generations.
What can Burnley Gem tomatoes be used for?
Burnley Gem is a versatile tomato suitable for fresh eating, slicing, salads, sandwiches, sauces, cooking, bottling and preserving.
Where can I buy Burnley Gem Tomato seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies Burnley Gem Tomato vegetable seeds for Australian home gardeners and growers. This Australian open-pollinated variety combines compact determinate growth with early production and versatile round red fruit.
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