Dester

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Dester to a garden.

Sink your senses into Dester’s rich, beefsteak abundance—an inviting, rosy-red fruit with a lush, juicy interior and a satisfyingly meaty bite.

Expect a smooth, balanced flavor that shines in substantial slices, making it a standout for fresh garden plates and bold, spoonable sauces. With its steady 85-day rhythm, Dester rewards home growers with a confident harvest of large, heirloom-inspired tomatoes that look as sumptuous as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Dester Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dester’s beefsteak structure gives you the best of both worlds: juicy on the first bite, then meaty and sliceable instead of watery. It’s built for situations where you want tomato flavor to stay front-and-center—on bread, in a quick reduction, or against creamy dairy.

Best Uses

thick sandwich slices where it won’t collapse into a watery mess
bold spoonable sauces—quick simmer to gloss, not thin
salads with sturdy vinaigrette (shingles/chunks that hold texture)
charred or broiled tomato halves for a jammy, smoky sweetness

Flavor Profile

rosy, balanced tomato tang lush, juicy interior with a meaty bite smooth, slice-friendly flesh that holds its shape

Kitchen Pairings

garlic black pepper balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil fresh mozzarella grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), and how can I stop it?

Blight (early blight or late blight) often hits tomatoes in warm, humid weather and appears as dark spots on lower leaves that spread. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, keep foliage dry by watering the soil (not the plant), and improve airflow with wider spacing and pruning of excess growth. If blight pressure is high, use a labeled fungicide suitable for tomatoes and reapply as directed every 5–10 days during wet periods.

How often should I water tomato during the main growing phase (from flowering to fruit set)?

During flowering and fruit set, keep the soil consistently moist with about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusting so the top 1 inch of soil doesn’t dry out. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than frequent light watering, and mulch around the plants to prevent rapid soil swings that cause blossom-end rot and cracking. Aim to water early in the day so leaves dry quickly.

How do I tell when my tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and develop their mature color for the variety, with a firm but slightly soft “give” at the blossom end. If you gently twist the fruit, it should detach easily from the vine without pulling hard. For best flavor, pick regularly as they ripen—overripe tomatoes on the plant reduce ongoing production.