When to Plant Beefsteak Tomato in Berkeley, California (94708)

Location

Berkeley, California

ZIP Code

94708

USDA Zone

10a

Last Frost

Sunday, January 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, January 25, 2026 · Zone 10a

Pro tip: Start Beefsteak Tomato seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026.

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🌿 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 Berkeley?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, December 14, 2025.

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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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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 Berkeley, California? +

In Berkeley (Zone 10a), start Beefsteak Tomato seeds indoors around Sunday, December 14, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Berkeley, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Berkeley, California (ZIP 94708) is around Sunday, January 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10a.

How long does Beefsteak Tomato take to grow? +

Beefsteak Tomato typically matures in about 85 days from transplanting. In Berkeley, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, February 8, 2026 plus 85 days.

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

Beefsteak Tomato should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Berkeley, that means starting around Sunday, December 14, 2025.

📚 More Beefsteak Tomato Planting Guides

🗺️

Beefsteak Tomato in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 10a Beefsteak Tomato Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Berkeley

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Growing Beefsteak Tomato in Zone 10a

Beefsteak Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Berkeley, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, January 25, 2026. Plan to transplant your Beefsteak Tomato seedlings outdoors around Sunday, February 8, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.