Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Big Beef')

Overview

Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ is a highly valued Tomato cultivar, celebrated for producing large, indeterminate beefsteak fruits perfect for slicing and fresh use. As a tender perennial typically grown as an annual vegetable, this variety exhibits strong vigor, making it a staple in productive summer gardens. Gardeners appreciate the early maturity of this robust plant alongside its inherent resistance to numerous common pathogens.

This Tomato variety thrives when provided with consistent warmth and full sunshine throughout the growing season. Proper support is crucial, as its indeterminate nature means continuous stem growth and heavy fruit set require staking or caging to reach its full 3 to 6-foot height potential. Cultivating Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ successfully rewards the gardener with substantial harvests of flavorful, showy red fruit.

Grown primarily for its edible yield, the cultivation of this Tomato contributes significantly to edible landscapes and backyard food production. Focusing on fertile soil and steady moisture regimes ensures optimal development for this popular variety of Tomato.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Solanaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-6 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: Flowers not showy
• Bloom Description: Yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Start Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ indoors from seed about 5 to 6 weeks before your area’s expected last frost date, or purchase established starter plants. Planting outside should wait until all danger of frost has passed. For best results, aim for average, medium moisture, well-drained garden soils; this Tomato prefers humusy, deep, and fertile loams. Select varieties exhibiting resistance to Verticillium (“V”) and Fusarium (“F”) wilts for better long-term health.

Spacing standards recommend planting in rows 4 to 5 feet apart for larger plantings. Space individual plants every 2 to 4 feet within the row, adjusting closer to 1.5 feet if you plan on staking or caging the plants adequately. For supported tomatoes, consider pruning suckers to focus energy into one or two central stems, promoting better air circulation and larger fruit size for this classic Tomato.

Watering must remain regular and consistent throughout the growing season to prevent physiological problems like blossom end rot. Mulching the root zone effectively minimizes weed competition and helps conserve necessary soil moisture. Remember that crop rotation is a beneficial practice to employ annually, helping to reduce the buildup of soil-borne diseases in your garden beds where you grow this excellent Tomato.

Landscape Uses

Tomatoes, including the highly productive Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’, are fundamental to vegetable gardens and container arrangements. Their deep green foliage and the bright color of the mature fruit offer excellent textural contrast in edible borders throughout the summer months. This variety performs exceptionally well when grown vertically, maximizing yield in smaller spaces or large patio containers.

When designing your space, consider pairing your Tomato patch with basil, marigolds, or carrots, which are known beneficial companions. By growing this indeterminate type, you gain a continuous supply of slicing tomatoes that satisfy fresh eating needs from mid-summer until the first heavy frost. Ensure that any companion placement allows the Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ access to its required full sun exposure.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Insignificant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy
• Edible

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tomatoes are tender perennials grown widely as annuals for their distinct fruit production. Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ stands out as an indeterminate, red beefsteak that typically yields fruits weighing 8 to 12 ounces with a relatively early harvest time of around 73 days. This All-America Selections® Winner from 1994 also boasts good resistance profiles against several critical fungal wilts, nematodes, and tobacco mosaic virus, making it a reliable choice for home growers.

Tolerances

• Rabbit

Potential Problems

Growers must remain vigilant regarding various potential issues impacting Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’. Disease pressures often include fungal problems like anthracnose, early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, and verticillium wilt, alongside potential viral infections. Common insect pests to scout for include tomato hornworms, stinkbugs, aphids, and whiteflies; nematodes can also cause damage depending on your local soil history. To mitigate physiological disorders like blossom end rot, maintain consistent water and calcium levels. Furthermore, be aware that this variety is sensitive to juglone and performs poorly when situated too closely to black walnut trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’) suitable for?

Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11, though it is commonly cultivated as an annual vegetable globally.

How large does Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’) grow?

This indeterminate variety typically reaches a mature height between 3 and 6 feet, with a spread ranging from 2 to 3 feet, necessitating staking or caging.

What sun exposure does Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’) need?

This Tomato variety absolutely requires full sun exposure to develop the best fruit quality and yield throughout the growing season.

When does Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’) bloom?

The flowers of Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ are considered not showy, usually appearing yellow before developing into the desirable edible fruit.

Conclusion

The Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ Tomato offers gardeners an excellent combination of early production, substantial fruit size, and built-in disease resistance, securing its place as a top-tier choice for summer harvests. Maximizing the success of your Tomato crop depends on providing full sun and consistent moisture support for this vigorous plant. Check your local frost dates and plan your indoor starting schedule accordingly to enjoy these superb beefsteaks.

Companion Planting

Choosing the right neighbors can significantly boost the health and yield of your Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’. Good companion plants often help deter common pests or improve soil conditions. For instance, incorporating herbs like basil nearby is often recommended, as many gardeners believe it improves the flavor of the Tomato while potentially repelling certain insects.

Other traditional companions include established pest-deterring vegetables like carrots and onions, or flowering annuals such as marigolds which can help combat nematodes in the soil. Proper staggering of planting times can also aid in masking the scent of your prized Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ from aerial pests.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Early spring is dedicated to starting seeds indoors 5-6 weeks prior to transplanting outdoors after the final frost. Once planted, focus on deep, regular watering, especially during fruit set, and ensure robust staking systems are in place before the vigorous growth of the indeterminate Tomato takes hold.

Mid-summer demands monitoring for the listed potential problems, early intervention against pests like hornworms, and consistent nutrient replenishment appropriate for fruiting plants. Continue to prune suckers on supported plants to maintain airflow around the developing fruit trusses of your Tomato.

As autumn approaches, focus on harvesting mature fruits before temperatures drop significantly, as very cold weather will halt production and damage the tender foliage. If grown in Zones 10-11, you might treat the plant as a perennial, but in most regions, prepare to remove the spent Solanum lycopersicum ‘Big Beef’ vines to prevent overwintering pathogens.