Goliath Bush Early

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your fingers into Goliath Bush Early’s thick, juicy flesh and savor the rich, classic beefsteak tomato flavor—boldly sweet with a gentle, tangy lift.

Fruits are large and meaty, with a satisfying, slice-ready texture that shines in hearty salads and showy sandwiches, and it also performs beautifully for robust sauces and canning. Built for home gardens, this early beefsteak brings impressive size and dependable harvest rhythm to a compact, bush habit.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Goliath Bush Early

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 13th
Harvest Begins	Sep 1st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
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

This early beefsteak is built for maximum slice integrity: the meaty gel and juicy flesh hold their shape instead of turning slick. When you let it meet salt, olive oil, and heat, it tastes like summer with a clean tang that doesn’t get lost in a simmer.

Best Uses

thick slices on sturdy bread with a swipe of salt—no watery flop
hearty salads where the flesh stays structured under vinaigrette
robust sauce simmering that thickens cleanly with minimal coaxing
home canning for a chunky, meaty tomato pack

Flavor Profile

bold, sweet beefsteak tomato flavor gentle tangy lift meaty, slice-ready flesh with juicy bite

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil black pepper mozzarella fresh thyme

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Early blight and Septoria leaf spot often show up as dark spots on older leaves, spreading upward on Solanum lycopersicum. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and improve airflow so plants dry quickly after rain or irrigation. If spots keep expanding, use a labeled tomato fungicide and repeat as directed on the label for 2–3 week protection windows.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase (from flowering through fruit set)?

During fruit set and early fruit growth, keep soil evenly moist so tomatoes don’t swing between dry and saturated—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on weather. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly rather than light daily watering, and let the top inch of soil start to dry slightly before the next watering. Consistent moisture helps reduce cracking and blossom-end rot risk.

How do I tell when Solanum lycopersicum ‘Goliath Bush Early’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety (no green shoulders) and the fruit is firm but gives slightly to gentle pressure. In practice, start checking at about 80 days from transplanting and pick fruits that have reached their final size and color. Use a light twist-and-lift to avoid tearing the stem and leave the remaining green fruits to ripen on the plant.