Goliath Bush Tomato

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Goliath Bush Tomato’s richly perfumed, sun-warmed flesh—an indulgent beefsteak experience with bold, juicy flavor and a satisfyingly meaty bite.

Fruits develop into large, classic tomato globes with a smooth, satin skin and a deep, rosy-red interior that holds its character from garden to platter. Ideal for thick slices and hearty centerpiece salads, Goliath Bush Tomato also shines in robust sauces where its full-bodied taste can take the lead.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Goliath Bush Tomato

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Goliath Bush Tomato 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 13th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	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	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

A beefsteak build with big, meaty cells and pronounced, juicy acidity—Goliath turns a simple slice into something you can actually chew. Use it where you want texture to hold (thick sandwiches, grilled sears) or where you’ll let it reduce into a sauce that coats instead of thinning out.

Best Uses

thick slicing for sandwich layers that won’t instantly collapse
hearty centerpiece salads with minimal dressing—let the juice and seeds do the work
robust pan sauces and quick reductions where the flesh breaks down into a spoonable sheen
steaks and grill plates: sear hard for jammy edges, keep the center juicy

Flavor Profile

sun-warmed, perfumed tomato aroma bold, juicy acidity meaty beefsteak flesh with a classic satin bite

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil red onion black pepper balsamic vinegar aged provolone

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and what should I do first?

Early blight and leaf spot are common on tomatoes, especially when leaves stay wet and plants are crowded. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, then water at the soil line (not the foliage) and space plants so air moves through the canopy. If spots keep spreading, apply a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and follow the label schedule, starting as soon as you see dark, concentric spots.

How often should I water Goliath bush tomato during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist by watering when the top 1 inch of soil dries, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. Give a deep soaking so moisture reaches the root zone, avoiding frequent light sprinkles that encourage surface rooting and disease. Consistent moisture helps prevent cracking and blossom-end rot; mulch can help stabilize moisture levels for bush tomatoes.

How can I tell when Goliath bush tomato is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and turn their mature color (typically fully red for standard red types), and the skin looks glossy and firm. They should give slightly to gentle pressure at the blossom end, but not feel soft or collapsing. For peak flavor, pick as the first fruits fully ripen and leave remaining trusses to finish.