Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato with slice taken out on a white background.
Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes with an old farm picture and wooden box.
Cut and whole Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes on wooden platter sitting on a bed of pine needles.
Hand holding a single Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato at the Baker Creek Trial farm in California.
Four Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes on a dark background.
Hands holding a Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato in the Baker Creek greenhouse at Mansfield, Missouri.
Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato with slice taken out on a white background.
Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes with an old farm picture and wooden box.
Cut and whole Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes on wooden platter sitting on a bed of pine needles.
Hand holding a single Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato at the Baker Creek Trial farm in California.
Four Kentucky Beefsteak Tomatoes on a dark background.
Hands holding a Kentucky Beefsteak Tomato in the Baker Creek greenhouse at Mansfield, Missouri.

Tomato Seeds,
Kentucky Beefsteak

4.19 Reviews#TO118 · 25 seeds
Price
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Description

(Solanum lycopersicum). A massive luminescent yellow beefsteak from the hills of eastern Kentucky. This hefty heirloom can easily reach 2 pounds. We love these extra pretty orange-yellow globes for their low acid, mellow flavor. A favorite among Kentucky’s heirloom seed collectors. Expert tomato grower Roger Postley raves about the yellow-orange fruit. “If you like tomatoes,” Postley said, “it’s the one you want.”

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Solanum lycopersicum
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Sun Requirement
6–8 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
80–90
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
24 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–95°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Start seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Transplant outdoors once the risk of frost has passed and temperatures stay above 60 F. Look up your local last frost date to time planting. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post "Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources."

How to Sow and Plant

Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep in seed-starting mix indoors, maintaining a temperature of 70-80 F for optimal germination. Provide 12-16 hours of light daily using grow lights or natural sunlight. Gradually harden off seedlings for about a week before transplanting outdoors. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows spaced 3-4 feet apart.

How to Grow

Water deeply once or twice a week, adjusting based on the amount of rain, and use mulch to retain soil moisture. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer when fruiting begins. Provide sturdy support such as cages or stakes for the heavy fruit. Regularly remove suckers and yellowing leaves to improve airflow and direct energy to fruit production.

How to Save Seeds

  • Most tomatoes are self-pollinating and don't frequently cross; in a garden setting, separating by 25 feet should prevent 99% of cross-pollination. Or you can bag and hand pollinate for 100% purity.
  • On a small scale, seeds may be scooped from the fruits and dried on a paper towel.
  • For larger quantities or cleaner seeds, fermentation for a few days is recommended.
  • Once dry, tomato seed can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place; good seed retains viability for 5 years or more.

FAQ

How large do Kentucky Beefsteak tomatoes grow?

These tomatoes can weigh up to 2 pounds or more, making them one of the larger beefsteak varieties.

Can Kentucky Beefsteak tomatoes grow in containers?

Yes, but they will need a large container (15 gallons or more) and strong support.

What pests or diseases can affect Kentucky Beefsteak tomatoes?

Look out for tomato hornworms, aphids, and fungal diseases such as blight. Companion planting and regular monitoring can help reduce risks.

Browse our full range of heirloom tomato seeds.

Customer reviews

4.1 / 5 9 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Huge fruit: Fruits run 1 to 2 pounds; the largest some have ever grown.

  • Sweet, low-acid orange: Bright orange flesh that tastes sweet rather than acidic.

  • Heavy yield: Tall 7-foot plants loaded with fruit, even in cool, wet summers.

  • A keeper: Several grow it every year and call it a must-have beefsteak.

More to grow!

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