How To Grow Beefsteak Tomatoes

If you want big, juicy slices for your sandwiches and burgers, learning how to grow beefsteak tomatoes is the way to go. These giants of the tomato world are famous for their size and flavor, and with the right care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest from your own garden.

It’s easier than you might think. The key is understanding what these heavy feeders need: lots of sun, rich soil, consistent water, and strong support. Let’s walk through the steps to get you from seed or seedling to a harvest you’ll be proud of.

Success starts with planning. Beefsteak tomatoes have a longer growing season than smaller varieties, often needing 80 to 100 days from transplant to harvest. This means timing is crucial, especially in regions with shorter summers.

Choosing Your Beefsteak Variety

Not all beefsteaks are the same. Picking a variety suited to your climate and taste can make a big difference. Here are a few popular ones:

Brandywine (Heirloom): The classic. Famous for its incredible, rich flavor. It can be fussier and lower-yielding than some hybrids, but many gardeners think it’s worth it.
Big Beef (Hybrid): A reliable, disease-resistant hybrid that produces large, flavorful fruit all season long. A great choice for beginners.
Mortgage Lifter (Heirloom): Another large, pink heirloom known for its mild, sweet flavor and good production.
Black Krim (Heirloom): Offers a stunning dark red-purple color and a complex, smoky-sweet taste.

Starting from Seed vs. Buying Transplants

You can start your plants from seed indoors or buy young plants (transplants) from a nursery.

Starting from Seed: Begin indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. This gives you the widest variety choice. You’ll need seed trays, a good seed-starting mix, and a strong light source.
Buying Transplants: This is the easier route. Look for short, stocky plants with dark green leaves and no flowers or fruit already set. Avoid any that are leggy, yellowing, or have spots.

The Perfect Planting Site and Soil

Beefsteak tomatoes are sun worshippers. They need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. More is better.

The soil is just as important. It must be rich and well-draining. Here’s how to prepare it:

Test and Amend: If possible, test your soil. Tomatoes prefer a slightly acidic pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Amend your soil with several inches of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting.
Dig Deep: These plants develop extensive root systems. Loosen the soil at least 12 inches deep in an area about 3 feet wide for each plant.
Add Nutrients: Mix in a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer or a tomato-specific fertilizer into the planting hole according to package directions. This gives them a strong start.

How to Plant Your Tomato

Planting them correctly encourages a robust root system. Tomatoes are unique because they can grow roots all along their stems.

Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
Dig a hole deep enough to bury about two-thirds of the plant. If the plant is leggy, you can bury it even deeper.
Gently remove the lower leaves from the stem that will be buried.
Place the plant in the hole and fill it with soil, firming gently.
Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil.

Essential Care for a Bountiful Harvest

Once your plants are in the ground, consistent care is what leads to those huge, perfect tomatoes.

Watering Wisely

Inconsistent watering is the main cause of problems like blossom end rot. Your goal is even soil moisture.

Water deeply and slowly at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. This encourages deep roots.
Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week, more during hot, dry spells.
Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation is ideal. Mulching heavily with straw or shredded leaves helps retain moisture and keeps soil off the leaves.

Staking and Support

Beefsteak tomatoes get heavy. Without support, the vines will sprawl, fruit will touch the ground and rot, and diseases will spread easier.

Strong Cages: Use the tallest, heaviest-duty tomato cages you can find. Standard flimsy cages will topple over.
Staking: Use 6-8 foot tall wooden or metal stakes. Tie the main stem to the stake loosely with soft cloth or tomato ties as it grows.
Florida Weave: A good method for multiple plants, using twine woven between stakes along the row.

Feeding Your Plants

These are heavy feeders. A mid-season boost is often necessary.

At planting, use a starter fertilizer or the slow-release mix mentioned earlier.
When the first fruits are about the size of a golf ball, side-dress the plants with a balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium (the second and third numbers on the bag).
Follow package instructions carefully—over-fertilizing, especially with too much nitrogen, can lead to lots of leaves and little fruit.

Pruning and Suckering

Pruning helps direct the plant’s energy into fruit production and improves air flow. Beefsteaks are typically pruned to one or two main stems.

Suckers are the small shoots that grow in the “V” between the main stem and a branch.
Pinch off these suckers when they are small (2-4 inches) with your fingers. If you let them grow, they become new stems that create a bushy plant.
Regularly removing suckers keeps the plant managable and focused.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with great care, issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle common ones:

Blossom End Rot: A dark, leathery spot on the bottom of the fruit. It’s caused by a calcium deficiency often linked to irregular watering. Ensure consistent moisture and mulch well. The soil may have plenty of calcium, but the plant can’t uptake it with dry roots.
Cracking/Splitting: Caused by a sudden influx of water after a dry period (like a heavy rain). Again, consistent watering and mulching is the prevention.
Pests: Watch for hornworms (large green caterpillars), aphids, and tomato fruitworms. Handpick hornworms. A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids. For serious infestations, use an organic insecticidal soap.
Diseases: Fungal diseases like early blight or septoria leaf spot show as spots on leaves. Prevent by watering at the base, providing good air flow through pruning, and rotating your tomato crop to a new spot each year.

Harvesting and Storing Your Beefsteaks

The moment you’ve waited for! Harvesting at the right time ensures the best flavor.

Beefsteaks are ready when they are fully colored (red, pink, purple, etc. depending on variety) and slightly soft to a gentle squeeze.
Twist the fruit gently until it snaps off, or use garden shears to cut the stem.
Never store ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator! Cold temps ruin their texture and flavor. Keep them at room temperature out of direct sun and use within a few days.
If frost threatens and you have mature green fruit, you can pick them and ripen them indoors in a paper bag with a banana (which releases ethylene gas).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much sun do beefsteak tomato plants need?

They need full sun, meaning at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. More is better for maximum growth and sugar production in the fruit.

What’s the best way to support beefsteak tomatoes?

Use very strong, tall cages or sturdy 6-8 foot stakes. Tie the main stem loosely to the stake as it grows. Regular tying is important as the plant gets bigger.

Why are my beefsteak tomato plants flowering but not setting fruit?

This is often due to temperature extremes. Night temperatures below 55°F or day temperatures above 90°F can prevent pollination. High humidity can also interfere. The problem usually corrects itself when weather improves.

How often should I water my tomato plants?

Water deeply 1-2 times per week, aiming for 1-2 inches of water total. Always check the soil first—it should be moist like a wrung-out sponge, not soggy or bone dry. Consistency is key.

Can I grow beefsteak tomatoes in containers?

Yes, but choose a determinate (bush-type) beefsteak variety and use the largest container possible—at least 20 gallons. Use a high-quality potting mix and be vigilant about watering and feeding, as containers dry out and deplete nutrients faster.

Growing beefsteak tomatoes is a rewarding summer project. It requires some attention to detail, but the payoff is immense. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a warm, sun-ripened tomato you nurtured yourself. Start with good soil, provide consistent care, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful and bountiful harvest that will make all your neighbors envious. With these tips, your garden will be producing beautiful, hefty tomatoes in no time.