Beefsteak

Tomato

Zone 12b Save Garden

🌱 90d to harvest Indeterminate

Sink your teeth into Beefsteak Tomato’s lush, garden-ripened juiciness—an inviting, classic tomato fragrance with a rich, balance…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Nov 13th
Last Frost	Jan 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Feb 26th
Harvest Begins	May 27th
Harvest Ends	Dec 31st

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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

Recommended Companions

Kuroda Long Carrot

Red Cored Chantenay Carrot

Thai Basil Basil

Napoli Carrot

Genovese Red Freddy Basil

Muscade Carrot

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my beefsteak tomato plants getting yellow leaves with fuzzy gray mold on stems, and what should I do?

This pattern commonly points to early blight or gray mold/leaf spot during humid weather, especially when lower leaves stay wet. Remove and discard affected leaves, increase airflow by spacing plants and pruning lower foliage, and avoid wetting leaves when watering. If it keeps spreading, apply a copper-based fungicide or an appropriate tomato fungicide labeled for blight/gray mold, following the label and starting at the first signs.

How often should I water beefsteak tomatoes during the 6–10 weeks of active fruiting?

During active fruiting, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times per week (more often in hot spells) so moisture reaches several inches down, and don’t let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Mulch around the plants helps prevent the soil from swinging between dry and wet, which reduces blossom-end rot and cracking.

How can I tell when beefsteak tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Pick when fruits are fully colored (deep red for most varieties), slightly soft at the blossom end, and reach full size—beefsteaks usually take about 90 days from transplant to maturity. If you see a green “shoulder” that isn’t developing color, leave it a few more days; if the fruit gives slightly to gentle pressure and smells tomato-rich, harvest now. For best flavor, avoid picking too early when the fruit is still mostly firm and green.

Sink your teeth into Beefsteak Tomato’s lush, garden-ripened juiciness—an inviting, classic tomato fragrance with a rich, balanced sweetness. At maturity, fruits are large and meaty with a tender, satiny flesh and a bold, rosy-red interior that holds its shape beautifully. Grow Beefsteak for standout slices in fresh salads, and for thick, spoonable sauces that showcase its full-bodied flavor.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Expert Note

Start indoors early for a beefsteak-sized plant, then transplant only once soil is truly warm (60°F+) to avoid cold-stunt issues.