How to Grow The King Tomato

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The King Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'The King'

vegetable

The King is a popular heirloom beefsteak tomato known for its large, meaty fruits and rich, complex flavor. These indeterminate plants produce heavy yields of deep red tomatoes with few seeds and thick flesh, making them ideal for slicing and fresh eating. The variety is beloved by home gardeners for its disease resistance and reliable productivity.

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

Plant The King Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest The King Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (minimum 6 hours for acceptable growth)

💧

Water: Deep, consistent watering 1-2 inches per week; drip irrigation preferred to keep foliage dry and reduce disease; water at soil level, not overhead

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: Start seeds 1/4 inch deep indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant deeply (bury up to first true leaves as roots will form on buried stem)

Soil

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

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Calcium (lime or gypsum) to prevent blossom end rot

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as annual in zones 3-4 with season extension

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with seed leaves (cotyledons) emerge; first true leaves appear within 1-2 weeks

Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (70-75°F); provide bright light to prevent legginess; thin to strongest seedlings

Transplant/Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Sturdy seedlings develop 4-6 true leaves and a strong root system; ready for potting up or hardening off

Pot up into larger containers; maintain bright light and moderate fertilizing; harden off gradually before field transplant

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Plant grows vigorously with multiple stems and dense foliage; establishes deep root system in garden

Plant after last frost; stake or cage early; pinch side suckers on indeterminate types; maintain consistent watering; fertilize every 2-3 weeks

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers form in clusters; first flowers appear on lower branches and progress upward

Maintain calcium levels to prevent blossom end rot; consistent watering is critical; avoid excess nitrogen which delays fruiting; ensure adequate pollination

Fruiting & Harvest

30-40 days to harvest maturity

Fruit develops from flowers and grows to full size (8-12 oz typical); color transitions from green to breaker to full red maturity

Continue deep watering; reduce nitrogen, increase potassium and phosphorus; provide shade cloth in extreme heat (above 90°F) to prevent sunscald; harvest when fully colored or pick at breaker stage to ripen indoors

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrots Onions Marigolds Nasturtiums Borage Garlic

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Potatoes Kohlrabi Other nightshades (peppers, eggplant) - space adequately to reduce disease spread

Common Pests

Hand-pick daily; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps; check undersides of leaves for eggs
Spray with insecticidal soap; use reflective mulches; introduce beneficial insects; maintain air circulation
Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil; introduce predatory mites in severe cases
Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; use copper fungicide preventatively; avoid overhead watering
Remove affected leaves; space plants for air flow; use drip irrigation; apply fungicide if severe; rotate crops
and (soil-borne pathogens)
Plant resistant varieties; use clean tools; avoid planting tomatoes in same location consecutively; solarize soil if needed

Uses

🍳

Fresh slicing and salads

Culinary

The King's large, meaty flesh with few seeds and thick walls make it ideal for thick tomato slices in sandwiches and salads. The rich, complex flavor and tender texture are best appreciated fresh, uncooked. [source]

🍳

Sauces and cooking

Culinary

The high solids content and balanced acid-sugar ratio make The King excellent for fresh salsa, gazpacho, tomato sauce, and cooked preparations. Its meaty texture holds up well during cooking. [source]

💊

Nutritional and antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention. Fresh heirloom varieties like The King often contain higher antioxidant levels than commercial hybrids. [source]

🏠

Seed saving

Household

The King is an heirloom open-pollinated variety, making it ideal for home seed saving. Extract seeds from ripe fruit, ferment in water for 2-3 days to remove gel coating, dry thoroughly, and store in cool, dry conditions for next season. [source]

🎨

Preservation and canning

Craft

The firm texture and high acidity of The King make it suitable for canning, whether as whole tomatoes, crushed sauce, or puree. The meaty character provides excellent results in home preservation projects. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

The King tomatoes are typically ready 75-85 days after transplanting when fully red and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Harvest by twisting gently or cutting with pruners to avoid damaging the plant. For extended season harvest, pick at the breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors on a windowsill or in a ripening bowl. Peak flavor develops at room temperature (68-72°F). Continue harvesting until first frost; pull entire plant and hang upside down in frost-free location to ripen remaining fruit.

Fun Facts

🌱 The King is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues growing and producing fruit throughout the season until frost—a single plant can produce 100+ tomatoes in optimal conditions.
🌱 Tomatoes were once believed to be poisonous by Europeans in the 1500s; the acidic fruit was thought to 'soften' the brain, yet they eventually became a cornerstone of European cuisine.
🌱 Burying tomato transplants deep (up to their first leaves) stimulates the development of additional roots along the buried stem, creating a stronger, more drought-resistant plant.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Hardening Off Heirloom pH Pollination Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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