Big Beef Tomato is a hybrid, indeterminate tomato variety that produces large, beefsteak tomatoes. This variety is considered the gold standard for big, fresh market tomatoes in many areas of the country. Big Beef has an excellent disease-resistance package that includes resistance to root knot nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
Big Beef Tomato is an All America Selections winner for its plant vigor, consistent fruit size and excellent flavor. Indeterminate plants produce fruits that average 12 to 16 ounces. Compared to other indeterminate varieties, the fruits ripen early on vigorous vines. This variety is also known to continue to set fruit in cooler conditions, producing delicious tomatoes until the first frost in many regions.
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family along with peppers and eggplant. Plants in the nightshade family are susceptible to blossom end rot, which is a result of a calcium deficiency. To prevent or alleviate this problem, apply pelleted gypsum at the base of the plant at bloom set. Tomatoes do best when transplanted, as the germination time can be longer than most vegetable seed. They grow very well in our heavy-duty seed starting trays. Plants should be started 4-6 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date.
If conditions outside are favorable, transplants may be planted directly from our 162 cell trays. If conditions are still too cold for planting tomatoes, transplants may be “stepped-up” to 4″ pots to allow more room to grow. Tomatoes can produce heavy fruits and will require some form of support to keep the plant upright. This ensures that plants and fruits stay off the ground, reducing the possibility of disease and keeping fruits clean.
Big Beef Tomato Planting Information
Planting Method: transplant
When to Plant: after last frost
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Seed Spacing: 2′
Row Spacing: 3-4′
Days to Maturity: 75
Disease Resistance: Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Root Knot Nematode, Alternaria Stem Canker, Gray Leaf Spot, Tobacco Mosaic Virus
