Hillbilly

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your senses into Hillbilly’s richly aromatic, beefsteak-sized fruit—sun-warmed and deeply savory, with a lush, juicy flesh that feels almost velvety in the garden.

Expect a bold, meaty bite with balanced sweetness and a gentle tang, ideal for showcasing in thick slices and hearty preparations where its full flavor can shine. Grow Hillbilly for a standout harvest at about 90 days, delivering showy, substantial tomatoes that turn every plate into a centerpiece.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Hillbilly 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 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Oct 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Oct 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Oct 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 27th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Sep 18th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Sep 13th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Sep 3rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Aug 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jul 5th – 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	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
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

Hillbilly’s beefsteak flesh leans savory and aromatic, so it earns the spotlight in thick slices—there’s enough density to stay satisfying even as it juices onto the plate. Use heat judiciously: a hot sear/broil to char the exterior and keep the interior velvety beats long, gentle simmering that can mute that meaty bite.

Best Uses

thick wedge slicing for salt-and-oil style eating; juicy but meaty, not watery
hot-plate searing or broiling so the surface chars while the interior stays dense
chunky skillet sauces that simmer without collapsing
stacked sandwiches where thick slices hold structure and don’t weep

Flavor Profile

beefy, sun-warmed tomato savor balanced sweetness with a gentle tang lush, juicy flesh with a velvety bite sun-roasted aroma that carries even after cooking

Kitchen Pairings

aged balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil garlic mozzarella black pepper smoked bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and how can I control it in my garden?

Early blight (Alternaria) is a frequent tomato problem, showing as dark, concentric rings on older leaves that can spread quickly in humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and improve airflow with spacing and pruning. If it keeps worsening, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and repeat according to the label during periods of high humidity or frequent rain.

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

Water deeply about 2–3 times per week depending on heat, aiming for evenly moist soil rather than alternating dry and soggy conditions. Check the top 1–2 inches of soil—if it’s dry at that depth, water; if it’s still moist, wait to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking. Mulch around plants to keep soil moisture stable and reduce stress that can trigger flower drop.

How do I tell when my Hillbilly tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full color for the variety and the flesh gives slightly to gentle pressure at the blossom end. Avoid waiting for complete softness; tomatoes left too long on the vine are more prone to cracking and spoilage. You can start picking from the first mature clusters and continue every few days as more fruits ripen.