SproutSmart
SproutSmart Intelligent Garden Sowing

Beefsteak

Tomato
Botanical illustration of Beefsteak
🌱 90d to harvest Indeterminate

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

Planting Schedule

Add Beefsteak to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.

Crop Dates

MilestoneDate
Start IndoorsApr 27th
Last FrostJun 15th
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsAug 10th
Harvest BeginsNov 8th
Harvest EndsJul 15th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity90
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitIndeterminate
Support NeededCage
Planting DepthDeep
Germination Temp (°F)75
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)10

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.
Botanical illustration of Beefsteak

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.