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When to Plant Beefsteak Tomato in Dyess Afb, Texas (79607)

Location

Dyess Afb, Texas

ZIP Code

79607

USDA Zone

8a

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, February 6, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, April 3, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Start Beefsteak Tomato seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Solanum lycopersicum
Days to Maturity 85 days
Mature Height 60-96"
Spread 36"
Type Indeterminate
Fruit Size Large (10-16 oz)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

36" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Beefsteak Tomato in Dyess Afb?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 6, 2026.

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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

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Common Beefsteak Tomato Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Mortgage Lifter

heirloom 85d

Legendary heirloom bred by "Radiator Charlie" — up to 2.5 lb fruits with mild, rich flavor.

Big Beef

hybrid 73d

Classic hybrid beefsteak with reliable yields and resistance to common tomato diseases.

Supersteak

hybrid 80d

Uniform 2-pound hybrid fruits with meaty flesh and excellent shelf life.

Dinner Plate

heirloom 85d

Enormous heirloom fruits often exceeding 2 lbs; classic old-fashioned tomato flavor.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy
⚠️ Many varieties are F1 hybrid — look for OP/heirloom types

When to Harvest Seed

Let fruit ripen fully — slightly overripe is ideal. Use only heirloom beefsteak varieties for reliable seed.

Processing

Ferment seeds in their gel for 2–3 days, rinse, dry flat on a screen for 1 week.

Seed Viability

Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Most commercial beefsteak tomatoes are F1 hybrids. Try open-pollinated varieties like Brandywine or Cherokee Purple.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 3 plants of Beefsteak Tomato. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Beefsteak Tomato in Dyess Afb, Texas? +

In Dyess Afb (Zone 8a), start Beefsteak Tomato seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Dyess Afb, Texas? +

The average last spring frost date for Dyess Afb, Texas (ZIP 79607) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Beefsteak Tomato take to grow? +

Beefsteak Tomato typically matures in about 85 days from transplanting. In Dyess Afb, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 3, 2026 plus 85 days.

Should I start Beefsteak Tomato indoors or direct sow in Texas? +

Beefsteak Tomato should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Dyess Afb, that means starting around Friday, February 6, 2026.

Other Plants for Dyess Afb

Growing Beefsteak Tomato in Zone 8a

Beefsteak Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Dyess Afb, Texas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Beefsteak Tomato seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.