Beefmaster Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum var. Beefmaster) is a hybrid cultivar that has been created to produce extremely large tomatoes. They can grow up to 1lb in size and sometimes even bigger!
A hybrid F1 variety (meaning they have been cross-bred from two pure species of tomato), Beefmaster Tomato is easy to grow and care for and makes a great addition to any allotment or kitchen garden.
This type is a particular favorite for many gardeners thanks to the size and abundance of fruit the plant provides. They have also been bred to have improved disease resistance than other cultivars.
Beefmaster Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, either from seed or as young seedlings from your garden center.
They may be planted out, staked in raised beds or grown in containers, but need a warm and sunny climate to do well.
How to Grow Beefmaster Tomato?
Beefmaster Tomato may be grown from seed or from small plantings and can be grown in containers, grow-bags, or in the garden.
They will need to be trained up stakes or canes to help keep fruits apart and offer support for the heavy crop!
Wherever you grow them, they require plenty of sunlight, a sheltered spot, and regular feeding.
Let’s take a look in more detail:
What conditions do you need to grow Beefmaster tomato?
All tomatoes need plenty of warmth and sunlight, and this type is no exception.
Growing under glass is ideal while the plants are still young as this will protect them from cool breezes and chills and from some of the more common pests.
You’ll need a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day to deliver the best possible fruits, and full sun is preferable.
You’ll find this variety prefer a well-balanced soil, and you’ll want to test and opt for a fertilizer accordingly.
If your soil is already balanced, choose a fertilizer with more phosphorus than nitrogen. If your soil lacks nitrogen, instead choose on that has a balance of bother phosphorus and nitrogen.
Don’t overdo it with the nitrogen: too much can cause a reduction in the number of flowers and fruits you receive.
Fertilize well at the time of planting out, and again once they start to set fruit, and then fertilize regularly through the flowering and fruiting, either weekly or fortnightly as you prefer.
Take care to avoid fertilizer coming into direct contact with the roots, as it may burn them.
When should you plant Beefmaster tomato?
Plant your tomato plants indoors in mid-spring, once any risk of frost has passed. Plant out only when they are strong enough, and the weather is good enough for them to survive.
Your Beefmaster tomatoes should produce fully-ripened fruit in just 12 weeks. If you live in an area where you have a growing season of 90 days+ (more is better), you may be able to skip growing them indoors.
Growing Beefmaster Tomatoes: Step-by-Step Instructions:
Here are the full instructions for growing your own Beefmaster tomatoes:
Growing Seeds – Start your seeds by growing them indoors. Aim for a room temperature of 75 degrees and plenty of natural light. Consider using a fluorescent light if you don’t have enough for up to 14 hours each day.
Prepare Your Beds – Prepare your beds around two weeks in advance. Thoroughly work the soil and mix a large quality of compost through. Add fertilizer then cover the soil with plastic to prevent weeds from appearing.
Prepare in a similar way if you are using a container. Alternatively, use a grow bag for minimal preparation.
Acclimatization – In the 7-10 days before you are ready to plant out, get your plants used to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours each day, ideally at the hottest time and in a sheltered spot.
Gradually increase the time that they are left outside.
Planting – The young seedlings can be placed outside once any risk of frost has passed. Plant them quite deep, almost to where the lower leaves of the plant are.
Gently cover the stem, taking care not to press too hard and damage the plant. Mulch well to protect against weeds and keep the plants damp.
Care – Water daily until they are established, using a fine mist or gentle sprinkle. In their early days they are young and tender, and need to be treated with care.
On very hot days, water twice daily, morning and evening. Feed with liquid feed often, taking care not to apply the fertilizer directly to the plant, but in the surrounding soil.
Harvesting – Pick tomatoes only when ripe. Fruits will turn from green to yellow, before finally moving from orange to red.
Growing tips:
Our top tips are:
Beefmaster tomatoes have disease resistance to some popular tomato plant ailments, including fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt.
However, they are still vulnerable to some pests. Nematodes (roundworms) will need dispensing of by chemical treatments. Cutworms and hornworms are also common; these may be removed by hand, or in the case of cutworms, prevented using cutworm shields.
When you are ready to harvest, you can reduce watering to help enhance the flavor of the tomatoes.
Plants grown in containers will need more water than those grown in the garden.
Stake your tomato plants well, using a teepee formation to allow them to grow up and ensure maximum light exposure.
Weed your tomatoes regularly to ensure all the nutrients of the soil are focused on your plants.
Beefmaster Tomato Uses:
This variety makes the perfect partner to mozzarella cheese and basil in a Capers salad. Their large size also makes them ideal for stuffing and cooking in the oven.
Its size also makes it good for impressing your gardening friends!
Storing Your Tomatoes After Harvest:
Once picked, your tomatoes can be left unrefrigerated if being eaten in the next few days. Otherwise, refrigerate in the ventilated vegetable storage compartment of your refrigerator.
If you are planning on dehydrating them, first slice them and lie them out on absorbent paper.
They can then be kept in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, frozen, or preserved in oil.
Are Beefmaster Tomatoes Determinate?
Beefmaster Tomato is an indeterminate tomato, meaning they grow on the vine and produce fruits throughout the growing season.
They require regular pruning, good support, and plenty of room to grow to be at their best.
