Homestead Improved

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your senses into Homestead Improved’s richly aromatic, deep-sun flavor—an heirloom-leaning beefsteak with a juicy, velvety bite and a satisfyingly meaty interior.

Fruits ripen to a classic warm red, often with a broad, slightly irregular shoulder that feels substantial in the hand and shines in the garden. Grow Homestead Improved for bold, slice-worthy presence in fresh salads, and for thick, luscious sauces that capture its full-bodied tomato character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Homestead Improved

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

Homestead Improved is built like a beefsteak: meaty interior, juicy-velvety bite, and enough aroma to stand up even when you barely dress it. It earns its keep in thick slices and reduced sauces where it concentrates without turning watery or flimsy.

Best Uses

thick sandwich slices that hold structure and don’t flood bread
raw tomato-and-salt plates where its velvety bite stays front and center
quick skillet sauté or roast to concentrate while keeping juicy centers
thick, slow-simmer sauces for pasta or spoon-on toast

Flavor Profile

deep, sun-warmed tomato aroma juicy but velvety flesh with a meaty interior classic warm acidity with a gentle sweetness slightly irregular, shoulder-forward richness for slicing

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil aged cheddar balsamic vinegar mozzarella white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and how do I treat it?

Watch for early blight (Alternaria), which shows as dark concentric rings on older leaves, often starting in the lower canopy. Remove the affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants and pruning lower foliage, and spray with a labeled fungicide that targets early blight per the label schedule. If you see rapid spread, stop overhead watering and switch to targeted treatments promptly to protect new growth.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during peak fruiting?

During peak fruiting, keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–3 times per week rather than frequent light watering, aiming moisture at the root zone to avoid leaf wetness. Mulch to reduce drying; irregular moisture can trigger blossom-end rot and cracking.

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

Harvest when fruits have reached full size and show consistent color for your tomato type (typically a deep red or near the mature color) with a slight give when gently squeezed. Pick before fruits become overly soft or split, especially during hot, fast-swing weather. For best flavor, avoid harvesting only when still pale green—wait until the fruit is just past the color-break stage.