Goliath Original Hybrid

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into the sheer, juicy heft of Goliath Original Hybrid—an impressively large beefsteak tomato with a rich, sweet-tart balance and a lush, meaty bite.

The flesh is dense and velvety, with a satisfying firmness that holds its shape for bold slices and hearty, garden-fresh plates. Grow it for standout summer abundance: a showy centerpiece fruit that rewards attentive care with full, flavorful harvests around 90 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Goliath Original Hybrid

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
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	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Built like a proper beefsteak: dense, slice-stable flesh with a sweet-tart snap that tastes as good uncooked as it does when you sear the cut surfaces for caramelized edges. Ideal for heavy, creamy partners—won’t turn to mush in a sandwich and still delivers real juice on the first bite.

Best Uses

thick sandwich slices that won’t collapse under mayo or cured meat
classic summer tomato platter with flaky salt and good olive oil
seared/roasted slices where the flesh stays firm and bronzes at the edges
burger-top tomato slices for a juicy bite with structure

Flavor Profile

sweet-tart balance dense, velvety meaty flesh juicy but slice-stable savory tomato richness with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

aged balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil mozzarella fresh mozzarella or burrata garlic olive brine/Capers

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and how do I prevent and treat it?

A frequent issue on tomatoes is early blight (Alternaria), which shows up as dark, concentric “target” spots on older leaves and can spread downward. Remove the worst affected leaves promptly, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and mulch to keep soil from splashing onto leaves. If the problem is spreading, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes (follow label timing and reapplication intervals).

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase to avoid fruit problems?

During active growth and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base so moisture reaches the root zone, rather than frequent light sprinkling. Consistent moisture helps prevent blossom-end rot and reduces cracking, so don’t let the soil fully dry out between waterings.

How can I tell when a Solanum lycopersicum crop is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit has reached its mature color (typically fully colored for the variety) and feels firm but slightly yielding when gently squeezed. Fruits that are fully sized and have begun to color will continue to improve after picking, but peak flavor is best when they’re fully colored on the vine. If you’re harvesting near the end of the 90-day season, pick mature fruits before cold weather stresses the plants.