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Beefsteak — Tomatoes | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Beefsteak
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

85-90days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Moderate to challengingdifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant when soil reaches 65°F and nighttime temps stay above 55°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Rich, well-drained loam with high organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 36-48 inches
Height: 1-10 feet
Season: Year Round

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Classic red
Size: 1-2+ pounds
Shape: Large, round to slightly flattened, ribbed
Flavour: Mild, sweet, and balanced with low acidity

In the kitchen

Premium slicing for sandwiches, burgers, fresh eating. Excellent stuffed. Too large for most canning.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites, cutworms
Diseases: Blossom end rot, cracking, late blight, fusarium wilt
Resistance: Limited resistance; requires good garden hygiene and air circulation

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor

MarigoldDeters nematodes and repels hornworms and other pests

CarrotsLoosens soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for space

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects and acts as living mulch

PeppersSimilar growing requirements and compatible root systems

OreganoRepels aphids and spider mites while attracting pollinators

ChivesRepels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and death

FennelInhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds

CornBoth attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients

BrassicasHeavy nitrogen feeders that compete with tomatoes for nutrients

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 0.83
Fat (g): 0.63
Carbohydrate (g): 5.51
Fibre (g): 2.1
Vitamin C (mg): 27.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.98
Vitamin K (µg): 4.2
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.06
Folate (µg): 10
Calcium (mg): 11
Iron (mg): 0.33
Magnesium (mg): 11.9
Phosphorus (mg): 28
Potassium (mg): 260
Zinc (mg): 0.2

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the tomatoes growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Beefsteak

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Beefsteak?

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