Green Giant

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your teeth into Green Giant’s lush, juicy slices—an inviting balance of bright, green-tinted sweetness and a gentle, tomato-forward tang.

The flesh is firm yet tender with a classic slicing texture that holds its shape beautifully, making it ideal for fresh, vibrant summer use and for preserving the variety’s distinctive flavor in sauces and pickling-style preparations. For home gardeners, this 85-day slicer delivers a bold harvest of substantial, meaty fruit with an unmistakably garden-fresh appeal.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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

Built for slicing: this variety stays structured when you cut it thick, so it eats juicy and meaty instead of watery. The balanced tang makes it work for quick reductions and pickle-style ferments without turning sharp or dull.

Best Uses

thick summer slices on sourdough with flaky salt—won’t collapse into mush
quick skillet simmered tomato sauce where the chunks stay intact
pickle-style preserves for a tangy, vividly tomato bite
grilled or broiled tomato rounds that hold shape and caramelize at the edges

Flavor Profile

green-tinted sweetness gentle tomato-forward tang firm, meaty slice with juicy tenderness

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic black pepper mozzarella balsamic vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) like ‘Green Giant,’ and how can I manage it?

A very common issue is early blight (Alternaria), which shows as dark, concentric spots on lower leaves that spread upward. Remove and discard infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants; for ongoing pressure, use a labeled fungicide that targets early blight and rotate products to prevent resistance. If you see rapid leaf yellowing and collapse, check for fungal wilt conditions and remove badly affected plants to protect the rest of the row.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water my Solanum lycopersicum, and what soil moisture target should I maintain?

Water deeply so the root zone stays evenly moist, aiming for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. In full sun, check soil moisture in the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm): if it’s dry there, irrigate thoroughly; if it’s still moist, wait to avoid fluctuating moisture that can trigger blossom-end rot. Mulch around the stems to keep moisture consistent and reduce leaf wetness.

How can I tell when Solanum lycopersicum is ready to harvest (around 85 days to maturity)?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and have a firm, glossy skin with a uniform green turning to mature color for your variety; taste should be sweet and tomato-like rather than tangy. For the best eating quality, pick by the stem at peak firmness—avoid waiting until the fruit is soft or splitting. If nights are cool or light is low, you may need to let fruits stay on the vine a bit longer, checking daily for color and firmness.