Homestead 24

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Homestead 24 to a garden.

Sink your senses into Homestead 24’s rich, beefsteak abundance—an inviting, sweet-tart fragrance with a juicy, velvety interior that feels substantial in the hand.

Fruits ripen to a warm, classic red with a broad, slightly flattened silhouette and a tender, meaty texture prized for bold slices and hearty, garden-fresh flavor. Grow Homestead 24 for standout performance in the home plot, where its generous size shines in fresh salads, vibrant sauces, and thick, satisfying roasted preparations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Homestead 24 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 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	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	Cage
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

Homestead 24 is a true beefsteak—meaty, tender, and juicy enough to taste like summer even without help. It handles heat well for roasting and sauce because it reduces into a velvety spoonful rather than thinning out into watery tracks.

Best Uses

thick sandwich slices on sturdy bread (no soggy interior)
quick high-heat roast to concentrate and caramelize the edges
chunky skillet tomato sauce that coats pasta with a spoonable body
salad slicing with minimal dressing so the fruit’s juice stays in the bowl

Flavor Profile

sweet-tart bite with a classic tomato tang juicy, velvety interior that slices cleanly meaty beefsteak texture with minimal watery bleed

Kitchen Pairings

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) developing brown leaf spots or fuzzy growth, and what should I do?

Brown leaf spots with a fast-moving pattern are often early blight, while fuzzy gray-brown growth or dark, spreading spots can indicate late blight. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, avoid wetting foliage, and improve airflow with wider spacing and pruning of lower leaves. If the problem keeps advancing, treat with a labeled copper-based fungicide or an appropriate late-blight product, and apply according to the label every 5–7 days during wet spells.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during fruiting to prevent blossom-end rot and splitting?

During the main growing and fruiting phase, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for deep watering about 1–2 times per week, more often in hot, windy weather. Check moisture by feel 2–3 inches down; water when it’s starting to dry at that depth, rather than letting it swing from dry to flooded. Consistent moisture reduces blossom-end rot (common when calcium uptake is disrupted) and helps prevent fruit cracking.

How can I tell when my Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits have reached full color for their type and feel slightly firm but not hard, with a gentle give when squeezed. They should detach easily from the vine with a light twist, especially once the fruit is fully colored on the shoulders. For best flavor, harvest after dry weather and let picked fruit finish ripening indoors only if needed (avoid picking fully green when the days-to-maturity has passed).