How to Grow Big Bertha Tomato

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Big Bertha Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Big Bertha'

vegetable

Big Bertha is a large, indeterminate beefsteak tomato variety prized for its massive, meaty fruits that can weigh 1-2 pounds or more. Known for excellent flavor and thick flesh with few seeds, it's a favorite among gardeners seeking impressive slicing tomatoes. The plant grows vigorously and produces fruit throughout the season until first frost.

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Big Bertha Mortgage Lifter Beefmaster Cherokee Purple Brandywine German Johnson

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Example Big Bertha Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Big Bertha Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Big Bertha Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (prefer 10+ hours for maximum fruit production)

💧

Water: Consistent, deep watering 1-2 inches per week; maintain even soil moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Water at soil level early morning to reduce disease pressure.

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Transplants at same depth as pot (can bury deeper to develop roots); direct seeds ¼ inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) Calcium source (crushed eggshells or lime) to prevent blossom end rot Perlite or coarse sand for drainage if soil is heavy

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9 with season extension; can be grown in zones 3-4 with starting indoors early and frost protection

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling (indoors)

3-4 weeks

Tiny plants with first true leaves emerging; cotyledons present

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; keep soil moist, provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily; thin to strongest seedlings

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks post-transplant

Robust stem development with multiple sets of true leaves; plant becomes bushy and vigorous

Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting; plant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F; stake or cage early; pinch side shoots below first flower cluster on indeterminate varieties

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant continues growing upward

Maintain consistent watering; apply balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer; remove lower leaves as plant grows; support weight with sturdy stakes or cages as fruit develops

Fruit Development & Maturation

6-8 weeks

Fruits swell rapidly, starting green and gradually turning red (or final color); plant may reach 6+ feet tall

Provide sturdy support to handle heavy fruit; continue consistent watering; apply calcium-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; remove some foliage in late season to improve ripening and airflow; monitor for pests and diseases

Harvest & Late Season

Ongoing until first frost

Large, fully colored fruits ready for picking; plant continues producing smaller fruits as season cools

Pick ripe fruits regularly to encourage more production; support heavily laden branches; as fall approaches, prune foliage to expose developing fruit to remaining warmth; continue watering until frost

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Onion Marigold Nasturtium Borage Lettuce

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Kohlrabi Corn Other nightshades planted too close (potato, pepper, eggplant)

Common Pests

Hand-pick daily; use netting or row covers for young plants; introduce parasitic wasps; apply spinosad if infestation is severe
Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; remove infested leaves; encourage natural predators
Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil; insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs
Increase humidity; neem oil spray; insecticidal soap; forceful water spray
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or sulfur fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash; water at soil level only
Remove infected plant parts immediately; apply copper fungicide or chlorothalonil; improve air circulation; remove lower leaves; discard infected plants
Remove infected leaves; apply copper fungicide; improve drainage and air circulation; avoid overhead watering

Uses

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Fresh Slicing & Sandwiches

Culinary

Big Bertha's large, meaty fruits are ideal for thick slices in sandwiches, burgers, and fresh salads. The high flesh-to-seed ratio and rich flavor make it superior to most store-bought tomatoes for fresh eating. [source]

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Sauces & Cooking

Culinary

The dense flesh and concentrated flavor make Big Bertha excellent for sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. Its low seed and juice content reduces cooking time compared to watery varieties. [source]

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Canning & Preservation

Culinary

The high solids content makes Big Bertha suitable for canning, though some gardeners prefer paste varieties. Great for making tomato paste, sauce, and salsa for long-term storage. [source]

💊

Lycopene Rich Superfood

Medicinal

Fully ripe red tomatoes like Big Bertha contain significant amounts of lycopene, a carotenoid linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits. Cooking increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]

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Garden Pride & Display

Household

The massive size of Big Bertha fruits (often 1-2 pounds) makes them impressive specimen plants for gardens and excellent conversation starters at farmers markets or garden tours. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully colored but still slightly firm; tomatoes continue ripening after harvest. For peak flavor, harvest in early morning after dew dries. To encourage continued production, pick ripe fruit regularly. In late season (2-4 weeks before first frost), pick all mature green fruits and ripen indoors at room temperature (68-72°F) away from direct sun. Store at room temperature, never refrigerated, for best flavor.

Fun Facts

🌱 Big Bertha is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues growing and producing fruit all season long until frost kills the plant—unlike determinate varieties that reach a set height and fruit all at once.
🌱 The largest tomato ever recorded weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces, grown in Oklahoma in 1986, and was a 'Beefsteak' type similar to Big Bertha, demonstrating the incredible potential of these large-fruited varieties.
🌱 Tomato plants are actually perennial and can live for years in frost-free climates; gardeners in warm zones sometimes overwinter Big Bertha for even earlier production the next season.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun pH Transplant True Leaves

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