Beefsteak Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum — 80–100 days to harvest
Beefsteak tomatoes are the classic large slicing tomato — meaty, low in acidity, and impressive on the plate. A well-grown beefsteak can produce fruits weighing 300–500g or more, making a single fruit enough for a full sandwich. They take longer to grow than cherry types (80–100 days) and need more attention, but the reward is extraordinary.
🌟 Popular Beefsteak Varieties
🌱 How to Grow Beefsteak Tomatoes
Full sun is essential — 8+ hours per day for large fruit development. Beefsteak tomatoes are more demanding than cherry types and will not produce well-sized fruits in less than 6 hours of direct sun. South-facing walls are ideal for heat retention.
Water deeply and consistently — beefsteak fruits are large and need a steady water supply to develop properly without cracking or blossom end rot. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist. Drip irrigation or self-watering containers are excellent for consistency.
Install a strong stake (1.5–2m) or cage at planting time. Beefsteak plants are heavy and will collapse without support. Tie the main stem loosely every 20–30cm. For single-leader growing, use a vertical string and wind the stem around it as it grows.
Grow to a single main stem by removing all side shoots (suckers) promptly. This concentrates the plant's energy into a smaller number of large fruits. Pinch out the growing tip once 4–5 trusses have formed to direct energy into ripening existing fruits.
Heavy feeders — apply balanced fertiliser fortnightly until first flowers, then switch to high-potassium tomato feed (Tomorite or similar) every week. Calcium supplements (or crushed eggshells in the soil) help prevent blossom end rot on such large fruits.
Beefsteak tomatoes need a long season — start seeds indoors in February or March (UK/Northern Europe). Transplant after last frost with night temperatures consistently above 10°C. Late starters often fail to ripen all their fruits before autumn.
🩺 Common Problems
Cause: Black leathery patch on the base of the fruit — caused by calcium not reaching the developing fruit, almost always due to irregular watering rather than calcium-deficient soil.
Fix: Water deeply and consistently. Mulch the base to retain moisture. Reduce nitrogen feeding. Apply foliar calcium spray as a short-term fix. Avoid disturbing roots once established.
Cause: Distorted, scarred, or puckered fruit — caused by cold temperatures (below 13°C) during pollination, causing the petals to stick to the developing fruit.
Fix: Avoid transplanting out too early. Do not grow near cold draughts. Catfaced fruits are still edible — just cosmetically imperfect. Later fruits on the same plant are usually unaffected.
Cause: Radial or concentric cracks in the fruit skin — caused by irregular watering and fast fruit expansion when large fruits receive a sudden influx of water after a dry spell.
Fix: Water consistently and deeply. Mulch to retain moisture. Harvest fruits slightly early and let them ripen indoors if cracking is severe. Some heirloom beefsteaks are naturally more crack-prone.
Cause: Dark water-soaked patches on leaves, brown rot on stems, rapidly spreading in cool wet conditions. One of the most destructive diseases in UK and Northern European tomato growing.
Fix: Remove and bin all affected material immediately — do not compost. Apply copper-based fungicide preventively from mid-summer. Grow in polytunnels or under cover in wet climates. Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering.
❓ Common Questions
How big do beefsteak tomatoes grow?
Fruits regularly reach 200–500g, with exceptional plants producing 700g+ fruits. The plant itself is a tall indeterminate vine — expect 1.5–2m in a full season.
How long do they take to ripen?
80–100 days from transplanting — start seeds indoors in February or March to get enough of the growing season. Late starters often fail to ripen all fruits before autumn.
Why is my fruit getting blossom end rot?
Almost always caused by inconsistent watering preventing calcium from reaching the developing fruit. Water deeply and regularly, mulch the base, and reduce nitrogen feeding.
How do I support such a large plant?
Use a sturdy stake or cage at least 1.5–2m tall, installed at planting time. Tie the stem loosely every 20–30cm. For single-stem growing, wind the stem around a vertical string as it grows.
