Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Beefsteak Tomato is one of the most popular heirloom tomato varieties for the home garden. It is aptly named for the deep red color, large size and meaty texture. They have a classic tomato flavor but with a kick of sweetness and few seed cavities which makes them ideal for culinary uses. They are heavy, sometimes reaching 4 pounds, but most weigh in at about a quarter to one pound in the average home garden. The vines grow vigorously and should be staked or trellised to support their weight.
Beefsteak Tomatoes are the optimal tomato variety for slicing on sandwiches and burgers. They also work great diced in salads or salsas, juiced, pizza or pasta sauces, and more! Roasting slices of Beefsteak Tomato enhances their natural flavor; try them with fresh Genovese Basil & slices of mozzarella for a next level Caprese salad. Store your Beefsteak Tomatoes at room temperature until ripe, or let them ripen on the vine for as long as possible for peak flavor.
Seed expert Peter Henderson introduced the Beefsteak Tomato in 1894, naming it, “Henderson’s Crimson Cushion,” but later is was renamed Beefsteak. It became a favorite of gardeners in the Northeast for its resistance to fusarium wilt and nematodes, as well as the desirable taste and texture.
Beefsteak Tomatoes are Indeterminate, meaning they will continue producing fruit throughout the life of the plant. Enjoy your fresh tomatoes all summer long, without needing to replant! Looking for a smaller, cherry variety of tomato? Checkout our seeds for Large Red Cherry Tomatoes instead.
NAME: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)
VARIETY: Beefsteak
DAYS TO MATURITY: 80 – 90 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile, loose soil with a pH 6.0 – 6.8
PLANT HEIGHT: 24 – 70 inches
SPACING: 18 – 36 inches apart
TEMP: 55 – 95 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last local spring frost in cell trays with seed starting soil mix.
Plant 1 to 2 seeds per cell, 1/4 inch deep, and water in well.
Ensure soil temps remain above 70ºF, using a heat mat under the trays if needed. Germination will occur in 9 to 15 days.
Once seedlings emerge, provide adequate light from LED/fluorescent grow lights, 4 inches above seedlings on 16 hours, off 8 hours.
When the second set of leaves emerge on the seedlings, thin the cells to one seedling per cell.
Transplant these individual seedlings into their own 5×5 inch pots, burying the stems up to the lowest set of leaves; this will promote strong root growth and give the plant space to grow.
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process).
When the soil temps are above 60°F, transplant the seedlings spaced 2 feet apart, burying the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves.
Put supports in place before the seedling develop their vines; you will want to tie the vines to the support structure as they grow to support their development.
In warmer, southern climates where the soil temperature reaches at least 60°F (15°C), Beefsteak Tomato seeds can be started outdoors.
Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Cover the seeds lightly with soil and gently pat down to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
Water the seeds thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
Tomatoes cannot endure cold weather and prefer a full sun area of the garden.
Prepare your bed by removing any large rocks, weeds or debris and ensure you have very fertile, loose, loam soil that is well draining.
It is recommended to provide a strong study trellis or cage for tomatoes to grow up to protect them from various pests and diseases, in addition to supporting the weight of the tomatoes as they grow and making maintenance easier.
Feed tomatoes a nitrogen fertilizer like blood meal until they start to flower, then switch to a phosphorus/potassium fertilizer like bone meal for bloom and fruit development.
If temps drop below 55ºF, protect the plants with burlap or greenhouse plastic to avoid damage.
A thick layer of mulch around the plant helps conserve soil moisture and control weeds.
Heavily water the plants twice a week, but avoid getting the leaves wet.
Pruning the “suckers” or shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches, will greatly improve the production and strength of the plant.
Beefsteak Tomatoes are typically ready for harvest 70-80 days after transplanting.
Harvest when the fruits are fully ripe and have developed their characteristic deep color.
Gently twist or cut the tomatoes from the vine, taking care not to damage the plant.
Store harvested tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight to ripen fully, or refrigerate to prolong shelf life.
