Abe Lincoln

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Abe Lincoln tomatoes are a gardener's dream, boasting a rich, sweet flavor that is perfectly balanced with a hint of acidity.

Their large, meaty texture makes them ideal for slicing fresh in salads or for creating robust sauces that sing with summer's essence. With a vibrant color and sturdy growth, these beefsteak beauties are sure to inspire your culinary creativity straight from the garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Abe Lincoln’s beefsteak, with its meaty gel and balanced sweet-acid profile, is built for slicing—salt coaxes flavor without turning it watery. When cooked, it reduces into a sauce that’s thick and glossy rather than thin, making it ideal for anything from quick roasted tomato pan sauce to a long simmer.

Best Uses

thick slice for sourdough with flaky salt (stays structured, doesn’t slump)
salads with sturdy greens where the juice can cling instead of pool
robust pan-roasted tomato halves to concentrate and caramelize the edges
slow-simmered sauce that reduces to a silky, low-seed consistency

Flavor Profile

sweet, ripe tomato flesh balanced with a bright, clean acidity meaty, sliceable interior with low wobble summer-scented, lightly grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic shallot olive oil burrata aged balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly hit Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) like 'Abe Lincoln', and how can I stop them?

Watch for early blight (dark, concentric leaf spots) and Septoria (tiny dark specks with pale centers), which often flare in warm, humid conditions. Remove infected lower leaves and improve airflow, then apply a labeled fungicide for tomatoes at the first signs and repeat according to the label. Also check weekly for aphids and tomato hornworms; hand-pick hornworms and rinse aphids off with a strong spray to reduce buildup.

How often should I water Abe Lincoln tomato during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist so it stays evenly damp 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) deep—typically about 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat. Water at the base (not the foliage) and let the top inch dry slightly between waterings to reduce leaf disease and prevent fruit cracking.

How do I know when 'Abe Lincoln' tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety (usually a deep red) and feel firm but not hard—give them a slight twist and they should release from the vine. Start picking regularly once the first cluster is ripe, because leaving mature fruits too long can invite cracking and reduce the plant’s energy for the next trusses.