How to Grow Beedham's White

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Beedham's White

Solanum lycopersicum 'Beedham's White'

vegetable

Beedham's White is a heirloom indeterminate tomato variety prized for its creamy white to pale yellow fruits with a delicate, sweet flavor. This rare open-pollinated cultivar produces medium-sized tomatoes that are visually striking and exceptionally flavorful, making it a favorite among heirloom tomato enthusiasts.

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Example Beedham's White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Beedham's White
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Beedham's White
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beedham's White dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily; 8+ hours preferred for best flavor

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Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to prevent fungal diseases; maintain even soil moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants should be buried deeper with lower leaves removed

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Aged compost Well-rotted manure Perlite or sand for drainage Calcium source (crushed eggshells or lime) to prevent blossom end rot

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-9 are ideal; can be grown in zones 3-10 with appropriate season timing

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Small green sprouts with cotyledons emerge; first true leaves develop within 1-2 weeks

Maintain warm soil (70-75°F), provide bright light 14-16 hours daily, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, thin to strongest seedling if multiple sprout

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks indoors, or from transplant until flowering begins

Plant develops true leaf sets, stems thicken, root system expands; plant grows rapidly with multiple leaf nodes forming

Provide bright, indirect light or grow lights to prevent legginess; gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions; fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer; prune lowest leaves once plant is established outdoors

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters; flowers have prominent stamens; plant begins setting fruit after successful pollination

Maintain consistent watering and warm temperatures (65-75°F); provide support structures (stakes or cages); ensure adequate pollination through gentle shaking or allowing natural pollination; reduce nitrogen fertilization, switch to higher phosphorus

Fruiting

6-8 weeks

Fruits develop from pollinated flowers, gradually enlarging; fruits transition from green to pale yellow then creamy white; internal structure fills with juice and seeds

Prune indeterminate growth to manage plant size; remove lower leaves for air circulation; maintain deep, consistent watering; apply mulch to regulate soil moisture; monitor for diseases and pests; support heavy fruit clusters

Harvest & Mature Ripeness

Continuous throughout growing season

Fruits achieve full creamy white or pale yellow color with slight translucence; flesh becomes soft and juicy; fruits may show slight color variations on the bloom side

Harvest when fruits reach full color but still slightly firm for best flavor development; allow to fully ripen at room temperature if picked earlier; continue harvesting throughout season to encourage production; remove spent plants before frost

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Marigold Nasturtium Borage Chives Onion

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage Fennel Dill Brassicas Potatoes Kohlrabi

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; monitor for dark droppings on leaves as early sign
Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; encourage beneficial insects; remove heavily infested leaves
Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide; ensure adequate air circulation
Remove lower infected leaves; ensure good air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; water only at soil level
Remove affected leaves immediately; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; reduce overhead watering; improve air circulation; remove plant if severely infected
Use resistant varieties if available; practice crop rotation; sterilize tools; remove and destroy infected plants; improve drainage; avoid overhead watering

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and slicing

Culinary

Beedham's White tomatoes are exceptional for fresh consumption, with a delicate, subtly sweet flavor and creamy texture that makes them ideal for salads, sandwiches, and slicing. The pale color provides an elegant visual contrast on the plate. [source]

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Sauce and cooking

Culinary

The high sugar content and low acidity make these tomatoes suitable for fresh sauces, salsas, and light cooking applications. Their delicate flavor shines in simple preparations. [source]

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Juice and preservation

Culinary

The juicy flesh makes them excellent for fresh tomato juice. Due to lower acidity, canning requires proper acidification with lemon juice or vinegar for safety. [source]

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Seed saving

Craft

As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Beedham's White produces viable seeds that can be saved and replanted, allowing gardeners to maintain this rare cultivar year to year. Proper fermentation and drying techniques ensure seed viability. [source]

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Garden biodiversity

Wildlife

Growing heirloom varieties like Beedham's White supports genetic diversity and attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. The plant provides habitat and food for garden ecosystems. [source]

Harvest Tips

Beedham's White tomatoes are ready to harvest when they achieve their characteristic creamy white to pale yellow color, typically 75-85 days from transplanting. Gently twist and pull fruit from the vine, or use pruning shears to avoid damaging branches. For maximum flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine; they will continue ripening off the vine but with less sugar development. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. The soft, delicate skin requires gentle handling to prevent bruising.

Fun Facts

🌱 Beedham's White is an extremely rare heirloom variety that was nearly lost to history; it has been preserved primarily through dedicated seed-saving gardeners and heirloom seed organizations
🌱 The creamy white color of these tomatoes is caused by the absence of lycopene (the red pigment), making them visually striking but also more prone to sunscald in intense heat
🌱 Despite their delicate appearance, Beedham's White tomatoes have a complex flavor profile with hints of sweetness and subtle tropical notes that intensify when fully tree-ripened

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Open-Pollinated pH Pollination Transplant True Leaves

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