The Beefsteak tomato is celebrated for its large, meaty fruit, ideal for slicing and sandwiches. Successful cultivation depends on understanding the plant’s natural growth pattern. This pattern, categorized as either determinate or indeterminate, dictates the plant’s size, need for support, and overall harvest schedule. Knowing which category a specific cultivar falls into is the first step toward a bountiful harvest.
Understanding Tomato Growth Habits
Tomato plants are classified into two main growth habits based on how their main stem terminates vegetative growth. Determinate varieties, often called “bush” tomatoes, grow to a fixed height, typically reaching three to five feet tall. The main stem stops growing when a flower cluster develops at the tip, a process known as terminal flowering.
This fixed pattern results in a concentrated fruit set, where the majority of the crop ripens within a short period, often just a few weeks. Because they are shorter and have a compact, bushy structure, determinate plants require less intensive staking or caging. These varieties are favored by gardeners who wish to process their harvest all at once, such as for canning or making sauce.
Indeterminate varieties, by contrast, are often called “vining” tomatoes because their main stem does not terminate in a flower cluster. The plant continues to grow, flower, and produce fruit indefinitely until stopped by frost or disease. These plants can become quite large, frequently reaching heights of six to ten feet or more over a growing season.
The continuous growth of indeterminate plants means that flowers and fruit develop along the stem at different stages. This staggered maturation provides a steady supply of fresh tomatoes throughout the summer and into the fall. This sustained production makes them popular for home gardeners who prefer a continuous yield rather than a single large flush.
The Growth Habit of Beefsteak Varieties
Most traditional Beefsteak tomato cultivars, including varieties like ‘Brandywine’ and ‘Big Boy,’ are indeterminate. Their large fruit size requires a prolonged growing period, which is only possible with the continuous, vining habit of indeterminate plants. Most heirloom varieties that produce large slicing tomatoes are also classified as indeterminate.
The term “Beefsteak” refers to the size and meaty texture of the fruit, not a specific growth habit. While the classic Beefsteak is indeterminate, modern hybrid breeding has introduced exceptions. Some newer Beefsteak-type hybrids have been bred to be semi-determinate or even determinate, aiming for a more compact plant and a concentrated harvest.
A semi-determinate plant grows taller than a standard determinate variety but eventually stops growing, offering a harvest between the two main types. Gardeners should always check the seed packet or plant tag for the specific variety. The label usually includes the letter “I” for indeterminate or “D” for determinate, guiding garden planning.
Cultivation Differences Based on Growth Habit
The indeterminate nature of most Beefsteak tomatoes significantly impacts how they must be managed in the garden. Since the plants grow continuously and produce heavy fruit over many months, they require substantial support. Standard, small wire tomato cages are often insufficient for the weight and height of a mature plant, which can easily reach six feet or more.
These plants thrive with heavy-duty staking, such as using metal rebar or strong wooden stakes at least four feet tall, or large, reinforced cages. Robust support is necessary to keep the heavy fruit and foliage off the soil. This prevents ground-borne diseases and improves air circulation, as sprawling vines lead to damaged fruit and increased vulnerability to pests.
Pruning is frequently employed with indeterminate tomatoes to manage their vigorous growth. Gardeners often perform “suckering,” which involves removing the small shoots that emerge in the crotch between the main stem and a leaf branch. Removing these suckers directs the plant’s energy toward developing existing fruit and improving air flow through the dense canopy.
Unlike determinate tomatoes, where excessive pruning can reduce the total crop, moderate suckering is beneficial for the indeterminate plant’s overall health and fruit quality. This management allows the plant to focus energy on a steady stream of large, high-quality fruit throughout the season. The harvest window is sustained until the first hard frost.