Hero Image

2024 Tomatoes - Beefsteak

 

Go to Plant Sale Home Page

Go to Cherry and Paste Tomatoes Collections

Go to Slicer Tomato Collections

Go to Pepper Collections

Go to Other Veggies and Herbs

Download Shopping lists (PDF files that can be printed)

Note: Assume all varieties will be available at all three sale locations unless otherwise noted.

 

Description Photo

Alice's Dream Beefsteak / Yellow-red-black / To 14 ounces / 80 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate

NEW FOR 2024! Known for its sweet, complex flavour and wonderful citrus aroma, this Polish variety is an accidental cross between Blue Gold and an unknown Indigo tomato. Very productive even in low temperatures, they also have good disease resistance. High in anthocyanins (the same healthy pigments that make other fruits and veggies purple/blue/black), these orange-black fruits with red veins are meaty and juicy. Like all anthocyanin tomatoes, the more direct, unobscured light received, the darker the shoulder splashes will be. *Photo courtesy of Baker Creek HeirloomSeeds/rareseeds.com

Tomato_Beefsteak_Alices Dream_Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds rareseeds_com-150

Ananas Noire Beefsteak / Multicolor / 16-24 ounces / 80 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Customers love this classic Belgian tomato. This yellow beefsteak with red blush can be 1 to 1½ pounds! Great, sweet, lip-smacking taste with a hint of acidity. (“Black Pineapple" with a distinctive, streaked interior of pink, red, green and yellow. Large and sprawling plant whose fruits have a complex, sweet and rich taste. Makes a great tomato sauce.”) Available in Walnut Creek and Antioch only. *Photo courtesy of Baker Creek HeirloomSeeds/rareseeds.com

Tomato_Beefsteak_Ananas Noire_Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds rareseeds.com-150

Aunt Ruby’s German Green Beefsteak / Green-yellow / 16 ounces / 78 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

This one from “Aunt Ruby” of Greeneville, Tennessee makes 1 pound lime to yellow-green fruit with a superb fruity, slightly tangy taste. A favorite in Master Gardener tastings! It's a big producer and quite disease-resistant. (“This green beefsteak was the star in my garden this year. It has a deliciously sweet flavor with a complex undertone. Tomatoes have light green skins at maturity with just a hint of yellow. Flesh is green, blushed with pink. A bit difficult to harvest at the perfect moment, this tomato does not keep well off the plant. But, it’s worth the trouble for its truly amazing flavor and beautiful coloring!”) Available in Richmond only.*Photo courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange

Aunt Ruby's German Green_Seed Savers Exchange_2021-150

Big Beef Beefsteak / Red / 10-16 ounces / 73 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate

An unbeatable combination—big, tasty and early! Throughout the entire season, this highly disease-resistant hybrid produces colossal, bright red fruits with a rich tomatoey flavor. It is adaptable to a wide variety of growing conditions, even cool, foggy West County. (“This tomato had so much fruit, more than I have seen on other varieties. I grew it at home and we also grew it at Our Garden where it got so many comments as to how full it was with fruit. I could always count on Big Beef for a yummy tomato. I will now grow this variety every year!”)

Tomato_Beefsteak_Big Beef_Johnny's Selected Seeds, Johnnyseeds.com-150

Big Rainbow Beefsteak / Yellow-red / To 24 ounces / 90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Spectacular fruit up to 2 pounds, delicious and sweet tasting. Quite striking when sliced, as the yellow fruit has neon-red streaking through the firm, meaty, low-acid flesh. Good disease resistance. (“A show stopper! This tomato is so lovely sliced, you won’t even want to eat it! Beautiful fruit with small seed cavities, a favorite in my garden every year.”) Available in Walnut Creek only. *Photo courtesy of Baker Creek HeirloomSeeds/rareseeds.com

Big Rainbow_Baker Creek_2021-150

Black Krim Beefsteak / Black-green / 8 ounces / 70-90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Originally from the Isle of Krim in the Black Sea. With sufficient sunlight and heat, this Russian beefsteak turns almost black with green shoulders. Very juicy. Considered one of the best “black” tomatoes. (“Finally! A beefsteak that grows in Richmond. Maybe not many, but with a delicious, slightly salty flavor.”) *Photo courtesy of Johnny's Selected Seeds johnnyseeds.com

Black Krim_Johnny's_2021-150

Box Car Willie Beefsteak / Orange-red / 10-16 ounces / 80 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Yields abundant crops of 10-16 ounce bright orange-red tomatoes with a rich, sweet flavor and enough acid to lend a little tanginess. Highly versatile; good choice for canning, sauce, or salads. With good resistance to disease and cracking, its long season makes it a mainstay of your tomato crop. (“A great, old-fashioned beefsteak with that old-timey taste.”) Available in Walnut Creek and Richmond only. *Photo courtesy of SchoolPhotoProject.com

Box Car Willie_schoolphotoproject.com_2021-150

Brandywine Pink—Sudduth's Strain Beefsteak / Pink / 16 ounces / 90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

An Amish heirloom treasure, still considered the world’s greatest tasting tomato! Flattened pink fruits grow to 7 inches in diameter and up to one pound on large vines. (“Excellent flavor and very productive!”) Available in Walnut Creek and Antioch only. *Photo courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange

Brandywine Pink (Sudduth's Strain)_Seed Savers Exchange_2021-150_flipped

Brandywine Red Beefsteak / Red / 16-24 ounces / 75 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

One of the most popular and best-tasting heirloom tomatoes. Vigorous plants produce large-lobed beefsteaks that are perfect for slicing. Luscious, old-timey red tomato flavor. Long season. (“This plant does not stop! What a beauty, so BLT-delicious and we don't even eat bacon. It’s in all my sandwiches—tomato/egg, tomato/cucumber, tomato/bean spread. The look, the smell, the taste—it just keeps saying that this is the one!”) Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Brandywine Red_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Buffalo Steak Beefsteak / Deep red / 6-7 ounce / 75 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate.

Lovely fruits that are meaty and have tangy tomato taste. A highly disease resistant hybrid with a prolonged harvest which is perfect for home gardens. Tomatoes all summer long! Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Buffalo Steak_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Bush Champion II Beefsteak / Red / 8-12 ounces / 65 days / Hybrid / Determinate.

This special variety was developed to honor the 100th year anniversary of the Ball Seed Company and is one of the best tomatoes for small spaces and containers. Compact, 24 inch plants produce plenty of big, meaty fruits that weigh up to 8-12 ounces. Small space / Container friendly.

Tomato_Beefsteak_Bush Champion_pexels.com-150

Carbon Beefsteak / Deep red-green / 10-14 ounces / 90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

These deep red-purple tomatoes with dark-olive shoulders are worth waiting for because their complex, rich taste has won many taste awards. Plants yield prolific amounts of crack-resistant, 10-14 ounce dark fruits perfect for sandwiches and salads.

Tomato_Beefsteak_Carbon_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Caspian Pink Beefsteak / Pink / 16+ ounces / 80 days /Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

From southern Russia’s warm Caspian Sea region, this is the first tomato to beat Brandywine in California taste tests! Often called the “Queen of the Pinks,” with an incredibly sweet and juicy fruit that can reach one pound or larger. Great either fresh or cooked. Will do well in cooler areas. (“A beefsteak that grows in West County! Was one of the best tomatoes in my garden.”)

Tomato_Beefsteak_Caspian Pink_pixabay-150

Chef’s Choice Bicolor Beefsteak / Yellow-red / 8 ounces / 75 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate.

An AAS winner. The beautiful yellow color of the skin hides the internal crimson stripes that makes the sliced fruit so attractive. Sweet and savory is how one judge defined the taste. Strong indeterminate vines produce up to 30 fruit of approximately 8 ounces each. Excellent for fresh harvest, or preserving. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Chef's Choice Bicolor_pexels.com_sm

Chef’s Choice Orange Beefsteak / Orange / 9-12 ounces / 75 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate.

An AAS winner! An orange beefsteak with high resistance to tobacco mosaic virus is more productive and earlier than most orange beefsteaks. It is low in acid and has a good flavor and texture. (“My favorite tomato—great producer, healthy vines, and beautiful, firm fruits that are simply delicious!”)

Tomato_Beefsteak_Chef's Choice Orange_MGFT-150

Chef’s Choice Pink Beefsteak / Pink / 12-14 ounces / 75 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate.

A hybrid that is easier to grow than some heirlooms, but just as flavorful. Disease-resistant, rugose-leaved hybrid produces beautiful deep pink, meaty, large fruits with a great old-fashioned tomato taste and early to boot! Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Chef's Choice Pink_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Cherokee Purple Beefsteak / Deep Pink / 12 ounces / 75-90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

An Ark of Taste variety. Pre-1890 variety, reputed to be an old Cherokee Indian heirloom. Uniquely colored dusty rose-brown fruit with delicious, old-time flavor. (“The taste was outstanding. It wants a sunny spot. Very pretty-looking fruit, dark pink with green shoulders.”) Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Cherokee Purple_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Chocolate Stripe Beefsteak / Deep orange-brown / To 16 ounces / 75 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

The Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Catalog says it all: “One of the most amazing tomatoes we have ever grown. Both color and taste excel.” A taste test winner, these large tomato plants yield a big crop of mahogany colored fruit with dark, olive green-striping (similar to Black Zebra). ("Fruits have delicious, complex, rich, sweet, earthy tomato flavors.”) Available in Walnut Creek only.

Tomato_Beefsteak_Chocolate Stripe_MGFT-150

First Prize Beefsteak / Red / 10-12 ounces / 75 days / Hybrid / Indeterminate

NEW FOR 2024! These vigorous plants produce loads of delicious 10 to 12 oz. fruit, even when conditions are not ideal. A trial winner for its high yields, good disease resistance, mid-early maturity, and great flavor. First fruit mature early and low on the plant, which continues to bear tomatoes over a long season.

Tomato_Beefsteak_First Prize_pixabay.com-150

German Johnson Beefsteak / Pink-red / 16 ounces / 78 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate. 

A large, prolific plant originating in Virginia and North Carolina. Big, leafy, robust plants that produce huge beefsteak type tomatoes with excellent flavor. This one is very popular at farmers' markets - a wonderful sandwich tomato with good disease resistance. Available in Walnut Creek only.

Tomato_Beefsteak_German Johnson_pexels.com_sm96

Hawaiian Pineapple Beefsteak / Yellow-Red / 16-24 ounces / 95 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

The name itself explains how wonderful this tomato is: large, yellow & red, 1-pound fruit with excellent flavor—sweet and fruity, somewhat pineapple-like in taste. (“Beautiful, large golden yellow tomatoes. Its internal coloring is also a bright golden yellow with red highlights—very eye-catching on its own or as an addition to mixed salads. This size makes for perfect sandwich slices. Fabulous flavor is accentuated when allowed to fully ripen—sweet, juicy, with hints of citrus. If that's not enough, it’s also a prolific producer!”) Available in Walnut Creek only.

Tomato_Beefsteak_Hawaiian Pineapple 2_MGFT-150

Italian Red Pear Beefsteak / Red / 8-18 ounce / 70-75 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

This old Northern Italian variety is an outstanding producer of huge (as in 8-18 ounce) very tasty fruit. Great for salads and sandwiches, it's really meaty and contains few seeds. Pear shaped with vertical ribs - a must try. Early for such a large plant, this is not the small pear shaped tomato called red pear sold by U.S. seed companies. Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Italian Red Pear_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Kellogg’s Breakfast Beefsteak / Orange / 16-32 ounces / 90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

West Virginia heirloom beefsteak tomato with large orange fruits weighing from 1-2 pounds. Delicious and superbly sweet! (“WOW!!! For a large, delicious, productive and sliceable tomato (think BLT), try the Kellogg's Breakfast. Once this one got started it was a HUGE producer! Very large tomatoes, deep gold in color and a mild sweet flavor…delicious! A good acid/sugar balance.”) 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Kellog's Breakfast_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Mortgage Lifter Beefsteak / Red / 16-32 ounces / 80-90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

As its name indicates, a prolific family heirloom from 1940s Kentucky where, using the proceeds from its sale, “Radiator Charlie” Byles paid off his $6,000 home mortgage (those were the days!!) in just six years. Produces 1-2 pound big, red, very flavorful beefsteak tomatoes. Plants are very productive, disease-resistant and long-bearing. (“Just all around perfect tomatoes, no problems, good yield, medium-to-large fruits with that wonderful, old-fashioned tomato taste.”)

Tomato_Beefsteak_Ester's Mortgage Lifter_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Paul Robeson Beefsteak / Deep Red / 7-10 ounces / 90 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Produces 7-10 ounce, blackish brick-red fruits whose sweet and smoky flavor is unparalleled. A Russian heirloom that was named to honor the American opera singer and racial equality/social justice advocate, Paul Robeson (1898-1976) who was idolized in Russia. (“We love this variety in East County!”)

Tomato_Beefsteak_Paul Robeson_MGFT-150

Persimmon Beefsteak / Orange / 12-32 ounces / 79 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

Vigorous and prolific heirloom produces 12 ounce to 2 pound persimmon-colored beefsteak tomatoes. Right at home in short-season gardens. Very meaty and with few seeds, this popular variety is also low in acid. (“Beautiful and large with rose/orange skin and flesh. Real eye candy in a tomato salad. Sweet, rich tomato taste—another taste test winner. Persimmon is said to have been grown in Thomas Jefferson's garden.”) *Photo courtesy of Territorial Seed Company

Persimmon_Territorial Seed Co_2021-150

Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye Beefsteak / Deep Pink multi / 8-12 ounces / 65-75 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

8-12 ounce fruits are dark wine color with metallic green striping, and the flesh is pink with yellow streaks. One of the best of the Boar Series by Brad Gates. The flavor is outstanding - sweet and complex like the finest heirlooms. They have an engaging tanginess, almost as if lightly salted. Compact plant. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Pink Berkeley Tie Dye_UCMG of CCC_sm96

Pomodoro Canestrino di Lucca Beefsteak / Deep Orange / 5-7 ounces / 80 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate. 

Found in every garden in Italy, we bring this heirloom directly to you from the Italian province of Lucca. You won’t find it any place else! Part of the traditional “Basket of Lucchese”—products selected for their authentic expression of Lucca—it has a beautiful ribbed-basket shape. These fruits have firm flesh, low acidity and high sugar, and aren’t watery. Very versatile—great in salads or pasta, fresh or cooked. Viva Italia! (“Added it to tomato salads, made tomato sauce and threw it straight into pasta dishes for authentic sauces. 2-3 inches in diameter, scalloped in shape, deep orange in color, dense and very flavorful. The flavor was rich and not overly acidic. The plant itself was very hardy, growing to over 6’ tall with strong, thick stems. I would definitely purchase this one again!”) Available in Walnut Creek only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Pomodoro Canestrino di Lucca_MGFT-150

Vorlon Beefsteak / Deep Red-black / 16 ounces / 80 days / Open Pollinated / Indeterminate.

A cross between Cherokee Purple and Pruden’s Purple created this stunning "purple-black" beefsteak with a rich, smoky-earthy taste that Baker Creek called its “best tasting tomato” the last few years. Up to 1 pound fruits appear mid-season. (“Even in Richmond, Vorlon produced the most delicious tomatoes in my garden.”) Available in Walnut Creek and Richmond only. 

Tomato_Beefsteak_Vorlon_MGLR-150

Download Shopping lists (PDF files that can be printed)

Back to top