Big Boy

Tomato

Zone 9b Save Garden

🌱 90d to harvest Determinate

Sink your spoon into Big Boy’s lush, meaty flesh—rich, classic tomato flavor with a sweet, garden-ripe perfume and a juicy, velve…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Dec 22nd
Last Frost	Feb 9th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 6th
Harvest Begins	Jul 5th
Harvest Ends	Dec 9th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

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Frequently Asked Questions

Big Boy tomato: what should I do about early blight?

Early blight shows up as brown, target-like spots on lower leaves that gradually move upward, often with yellowing around the spots. Remove and discard affected lower leaves immediately, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and space plants so leaves dry quickly. If it keeps spreading, apply a labeled tomato fungicide that targets early blight and repeat according to the label schedule.

How often should I water Big Boy tomatoes during peak growth (after flowering begins)?

During peak growth, water deeply so the soil is evenly moist to about 6–8 inches, typically about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent constant wetness, then water again thoroughly to avoid fruit cracking and blossom-end rot. Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to keep leaves dry.

How can I tell when Big Boy tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Pick when fruits are fully colored (deep red for Big Boy) and give slightly when gently squeezed—shouldn’t feel hard. Harvesting should start around day ~75–85 and continue as new fruits mature, usually every few days in warm weather. If a tomato still shows green near the stem end, wait a few more days until it ripens evenly.

Sink your spoon into Big Boy’s lush, meaty flesh—rich, classic tomato flavor with a sweet, garden-ripe perfume and a juicy, velvety bite. This beefsteak standout forms large, globe-to-slightly-flattened fruits with a smooth, satin skin and substantial interior chambers that hold their character for bold slices. Grow Big Boy for showy summer harvests that shine in fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and thick, spoonable sauces that capture its full-bodied taste.

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 about 7 weeks before your average last spring frost, then transplant only once soil is reliably warm (≥60°F) to avoid cold-stunting.