Organic 'Watermelon Beefsteak' tomato
Organic 'Watermelon Beefsteak' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a huge pink beefsteak with an old-fashioned, rich and juicy flavor
The 'Watermelon Beefsteak' tomato is a century-old heirloom variety originating in West Virginia and introduced by George Gleckler in 1958. It is prized for its giant, pink, smooth, and slightly scalloped fruits, which can weigh 1 to 2 pounds each. Their abundant, juicy, and meaty flesh evokes the sweetness of an old-fashioned tomato, with a rich, complex, and pleasantly sweet flavor profile. An indeterminate variety with regular foliage, it is very productive and offers continuous harvests of exceptional fruit, perfect for thick slices, gourmet sandwiches, and enjoying fresh.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (before flowering)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/Carry : Indeterminate, very vigorous
Plant height : 120 to 150 cm (4 to 5′)
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : XL fruit, incomparable old-fashioned flavor, ideal for slicing, American heirloom variety
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Place the seeds 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4") deep in a light potting mix. Maintain a temperature of 23 to 29°C for optimal germination in 5 to 10 days. During hardening-off, slightly reduce watering and nitrogen application to strengthen the seedlings before transplanting.
Transplant outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches) apart and rows 120 to 180 cm (4 to 6 feet) apart. Provide full sun (level 3) and regular watering (watering level 3). Due to the impressive size of the fruit, provide sturdy support or a reinforced tomato cage.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit has reached its full pink color and the skin is slightly soft. For early harvests, pick when the fruit shows its first color and let it ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher. Store tomatoes between 12 and 21°C with a relative humidity of around 95% for optimal preservation.
Usage ideas
• Perfect for extra-large slices in gourmet hamburgers and sandwiches
• Delicious as a carpaccio of pink tomatoes, grey salt and olive oil
• Excellent base for rich and creamy sauces
• Ideal grilled or roasted, where its sweetness is even more pronounced
• Magnificent in tasting platters of heirloom tomatoes
The 'Watermelon Beefsteak' is a spectacular tomato, both in size and taste. An heirloom variety that's a must-have for lovers of large, juicy fruit, deep aromas, and tomatoes worthy of heritage gardens.
