How to Grow The Giant (Tomato)

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The Giant (Tomato)

Solanum lycopersicum 'The Giant'

vegetable

The Giant is a large beefsteak tomato variety known for producing massive, meaty fruits that can weigh 1-2 pounds or more. This indeterminate heirloom tomato is prized by gardeners for its impressive size, rich flavor, and productive vine growth. It requires sturdy support and patience, but rewards growers with exceptional fruit suitable for slicing and cooking.

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Example The Giant (Tomato) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant The Giant (Tomato)
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest The Giant (Tomato)
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact The Giant (Tomato) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (preferably 10+ hours for large fruit production)

💧

Water: Deep, consistent watering; 1-2 inches per week depending on temperature and rainfall. Water at soil level to avoid disease. Maintain even moisture, especially during fruit development, to prevent cracking and blossom end rot.

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Start seeds ¼ inch deep indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant seedlings when 6-8 inches tall, burying 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 bone meal calcium (crushed eggshells or lime to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-10; start indoors in cooler zones (3-4) for best results

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and first true leaves emerging

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Maintain 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling or transplant to individual pots at true leaf stage.

Vegetative

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Young plants growing rapidly with increasing leaf mass; no flowers yet

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Plant deeply (bury stem). Install sturdy support cages or stakes immediately. Pinch off lower leaves once plant is established.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant continues vegetative growth with multiple flower trusses forming

Maintain consistent watering and balanced fertilization (avoid excess nitrogen). Provide calcium to prevent blossom end rot. Prune suckers on indeterminate varieties to direct energy to fruit. Hand-pollinate or shake flowers gently.

Fruiting

4-5 weeks

Large green fruits develop rapidly from flowers; fruit swells significantly as this variety produces large individual tomatoes

Provide strong support as heavy fruits develop. Water deeply and consistently; irregular watering causes splitting. Continue pruning lower leaves for air circulation. Reduce nitrogen, focus on potassium and calcium. Monitor for pests and disease.

Harvest

Ongoing until frost (6-8 weeks typical harvest window)

Fruits ripen to deep red color; ripe fruits feel slightly soft when gently squeezed

Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft. Pick in morning for best flavor. Use ripe fruits immediately or store at room temperature. Late-season green fruits can be ripened indoors or used for fried green tomatoes.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil parsley carrot onion garlic marigold borage nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) fennel kohlrabi dill

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars daily; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestation is severe
Use reflective mulch; spray with insecticidal soap; introduce predatory insects like ladybugs
Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide spray if severe
Spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide if needed
Ensure good airflow; remove infected leaves immediately; apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide; destroy infected plants

Uses

🍳

Fresh slicing and gourmet cooking

Culinary

The Giant's large, meaty fruits are ideal for thick slices in sandwiches, salads, and plating. Their robust flavor and low seed content make them excellent for fresh eating and high-end culinary applications. [source]

🍳

Sauce and preserves

Culinary

The substantial flesh and rich flavor of The Giant make excellent tomato sauce, paste, and canning. One large fruit can yield significant sauce or preserve quantity. [source]

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Antioxidant-rich food

Medicinal

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with heart health and disease prevention. Fresh-eaten ripe tomatoes like The Giant provide maximum nutrient density. [source]

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Garden heirloom preservation

Household

Growing open-pollinated heirloom varieties like The Giant allows gardeners to save seeds for future seasons, preserving genetics and reducing seed costs. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and beneficial insects. Growing multiple plants in bloom provides extended foraging resources for pollinators throughout the season. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting when fruits are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch, typically 75-85 days from transplanting. Pick tomatoes in the morning for best flavor and texture. For The Giant specifically, support branches heavily laden with large fruits to prevent breakage. Ripe fruits can be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks. Green fruits at season's end can be ripened indoors in a cardboard box with a newspaper layer.

Fun Facts

🌱 The Giant can produce tomatoes weighing 1-2 pounds or heavier, with some prize-winning specimens exceeding 3 pounds—requiring special reinforcement of branches to prevent breakage.
🌱 Indeterminate varieties like The Giant continue growing and producing fruit until frost kills the plant, meaning a single plant can yield 50-200+ tomatoes over an entire season.
🌱 Tomato plants can be surprisingly long-lived; mature The Giant plants can thrive and produce for 6-8 months in warm climates or until the first hard freeze in cooler regions.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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