Zone 8 · Tomatoes Growing Guide

When to Plant Beefsteak Tomato
in Zone 8

Large-fruited tomatoes perfect for slicing. Need a long, warm season and sturdy support. Worth the effort for the flavour.

Plant outdoors
Feb 20 – Mar 20
Start indoors
Jan 1 – Jan 20
Last Frost
~Feb 15
Days to harvest
80–100 days
Difficulty
Medium
Growing — Zone 8
Harvest window: May – Jul

Planting Calendar

In Zone 8, Beefsteak Tomato should be planted outdoors Feb 20 – Mar 20, after the average last frost date of approximately Feb 15. Start seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 20 for a head start.

Spring crop only in most of Zone 8. Summer heat is too intense for fruit set. Fall planting gives secondary crop.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 8–10 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
36–48 inches
Soil
Rich, well-draining loam
Days to maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
plant tip · Zone 8

Spring crop only in most of Zone 8. Summer heat is too intense for fruit set. Fall planting gives secondary crop.

Feeding Schedule

How often
every 2 weeks
Feed type
tomato feed (high potassium)
Key timing
start when first flowers appear

Heavy feeder. Start with balanced feed at transplant, switch to high-potassium once flowering begins.

Companion Planting for Beefsteak Tomato

What you plant next to beefsteak tomato makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Basil
  • Carrots
  • Marigolds
  • Borage
Keep away from
  • Fennel
  • Brassicas
  • Potatoes

These guides get better when growers like you contribute. If something’s wrong or you’ve learned something worth sharing, we’d love to hear it.

What needs correcting?

What should it say?

Your zone (optional)

Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.

Your growing tip for Beefsteak Tomato

Your name (optional)

Your zone (optional)

Tips are reviewed before publishing. Accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when the plant app launches.

Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.

Common questions

In Zone 8, start beefsteak tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 20, then transplant outdoors Feb 20 – Mar 20 after your last frost around Feb 15. Spring crop only in most of Zone 8. Summer heat is too intense for fruit set. Fall planting gives secondary crop.
Zone 8 has an average last spring frost of approximately Feb 15 and a first fall frost around Dec 1. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for beefsteak tomato include Basil, Carrots, Marigolds, Borage. Avoid planting near Fennel, Brassicas, Potatoes, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Beefsteak Tomato typically takes 80–100 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 8. Expected harvest window: May – Jul.

Recipes using this crop

Great ways to use your harvest — see all recipes

Preserves & Condiments

Classic Marinara Sauce

55 min · easy

Preserves & Condiments

Slow Roasted Tomatoes

190 min · easy

Free app · iOS February 2028

Track your Beefsteak Tomato in plant

Get a live traffic light for every crop in your garden — zone-aware planting calendar, real-time weather alerts, and a community of growers near you.

Be first to back on Kickstarter and lock in the founding price.

Beefsteak Tomato in other zones
Crop Guides