Homestead

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your senses into Homestead’s richly aromatic, beefsteak-sized fruit—warm, sun-kissed color with a lush, meaty interior that feels velvety and substantial in the hand.

Each slice-worthy tomato delivers a balanced, classic tomato tang with a gentle sweetness, making it a favorite for bold summer plates and hearty preparations. Grow Homestead for a dependable 85-day season and a garden-to-table harvest that shines in fresh slices, thick sauces, and robust roasting-style dishes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Homestead 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)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Homestead beefsteak tomatoes lean meat-forward, so they slice thick without turning the plate into a puddle and give you a spoonable, velvety bite in cooked applications. Use them where you want structure—roasting, grilling, and thick sauces—rather than relying on high juice.

Best Uses

thick slice salads with minimal dressing so it doesn’t flood the bowl
roasting until edges caramelize and the flesh collapses into a jammy spoon
slow-simmered tomato sauce that stays hearty (not watery)
grilled tomato halves for smoky, sweet-tang bite

Flavor Profile

classic tomato tang with gentle sweetness meaty, velvety interior (low-water slice structure) warm, sun-kissed aroma

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil mozzarella balsamic vinegar fresh oregano anchovies

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) disease/pest problem and how do I manage it?

Early blight is a frequent issue on tomatoes, showing as dark, concentric spots on older leaves that spread upward. Remove and discard infected leaves and improve airflow (space plants, stake/cage them) to slow spread. If it’s been recurring, spray a labeled protectant such as chlorothalonil or a copper-based fungicide according to label timing, starting at the first signs and repeating as directed.

How often should I water tomatoes during the main growing phase?

During active growth and fruiting, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base of the plant so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid frequent light watering that can trigger blossom-end rot and uneven growth. Mulch around the plants to stabilize soil moisture and reduce fluctuations.

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

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety and easily come off the vine with a gentle twist. Look for a firm-but-giving feel (not hard) and a strong tomato aroma near the stem. If nights are cool and fruits are turning color, you can pick at the “breaker” stage and finish ripening indoors, but full vine ripeness is best for flavor.