How to Grow Beacon

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Beacon

Solanum lycopersicum 'Beacon'

vegetable

Beacon is a determinate tomato variety known for its early maturity and disease resistance, producing medium-sized, flavorful red fruits. It was developed for northern climates and short growing seasons, making it ideal for gardeners in cooler regions. The compact plant habit allows for efficient space utilization in both garden beds and containers.

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Example Beacon timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Beacon
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Beacon
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beacon dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for best production)

💧

Water: Consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply and regularly to prevent cracking and disease; water at soil level to keep foliage dry

📏

Spacing: 24-36 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 60-70 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants set deep (bury stem up to first true leaves)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8, excellent choice for northern climates due to early maturity (60-70 days)

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

4-6 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves, developing root system

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide 12-16 hours of grow light daily; maintain 70-75°F; fertilize weakly with dilute fertilizer every 2 weeks

Vegetative

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Bushy, compact growth with multiple branching stems and dense foliage; no flowers yet

Harden off before transplanting; plant deep to encourage root development; support with stakes or cages early; pinch off suckers on determinate varieties if desired for neat form; ensure consistent water and nutrients

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant reaches mature height and width for determinate type

Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen (use balanced fertilizer); provide calcium (crushed eggshells or lime) to prevent blossom-end rot; ensure adequate pollination with air circulation or gentle shaking

Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Fruit sets and begins to enlarge; first fruits reach mature green stage, then gradually ripen to deep red

Keep soil consistently moist to prevent cracking; reduce nitrogen to encourage ripening; mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture; continue supporting heavy fruit with sturdy cages or stakes; harvest fruit at mature green stage if frost threatens

Harvest

4-6 weeks of peak production (determinate type produces most crop within 2-3 weeks)

Fruits are fully red, slightly soft to gentle pressure, and ready for picking

Pick fruit regularly to encourage continued production; harvest at first blush of color or fully red depending on preference; remove diseased or cracked fruit immediately to prevent spread

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil carrot onion parsley marigold borage dill lettuce thyme

Avoid planting near:

brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) fennel kohlrabi potato corn

Common Pests

Hand-pick larvae; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); inspect plants regularly
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; neem oil as needed
Yellow sticky traps; strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch
Increase humidity; spray with water; insecticidal soap; neem oil; predatory mites as biocontrol
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; fungicide if needed (chlorothalonil or copper)
Remove infected foliage immediately; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; resistant varieties preferred

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and cooking

Culinary

Beacon tomatoes have good flavor for eating fresh, in salads, and for cooking. Their early maturity and disease resistance make them reliable for fresh consumption throughout the season. [source]

🍳

Sauce and canning

Culinary

The solid flesh and concentrated production make Beacon suitable for processing into sauces and preserves. Its disease resistance reduces rot and spotting that would compromise processing quality. [source]

💊

Antioxidant-rich food

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other antioxidants linked to cardiovascular and cancer-preventive benefits. Fresh consumption ensures maximum nutrient retention. [source]

🏠

Determinate harvesting for preservation

Household

The determinate habit concentrates fruit ripening, ideal for gardeners who want to harvest and preserve tomatoes all at once rather than over many weeks. [source]

🦋

Pollinator garden contribution

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and the plants support beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests. Companion herbs enhance the attraction. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Beacon produces determinate (bush) fruit that concentrates ripening, typically over 2-3 weeks. Harvest at mature green or first blush of color for best flavor; color will fully develop off the vine. Cut fruit with pruners or gently twist off. Mature green fruit will ripen in 5-7 days indoors at room temperature. Early variety allows for full ripening before first frost in northern regions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Beacon was specifically bred for cold climates and short growing seasons, making it one of the earliest determinate tomato varieties suitable for northern gardens and short seasons.
🌱 Determinate tomatoes like Beacon are often called 'bush' tomatoes because they grow to a fixed size and don't continue growing indefinitely like indeterminate varieties, making them ideal for containers and small spaces.
🌱 Tomato plants can develop roots all along their buried stem; planting deep (burying part of the stem) creates a stronger, more extensive root system and more drought-tolerant plants.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch Pollination Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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