Classic

Tomato F1 ‘Big Beef’
All America Classic

In 1994 gardeners wanted a large, beefsteak-type tomato, but early and loaded with disease resistances so that a neophyte could rely on harvesting big, red, tasty tomatoes. Their dreams came true with ‘Big Beef.’ This AAS Winner exhibited all of these desirable traits.

For over twelve years, ‘Big Beef’ has remained one of the most popular red tomatoes in North America. Almost foolproof, 8 to 12 ounce fruit can be harvested beginning about 73 days from transplanting into warm garden soil. Easy to grow from seed or plants is an understatement. The hybrid vigor is obvious from seedling size to vining plant. ‘Big Beef’ began a trend toward multiple disease resistances packed into plant genes using old fashioned breeding techniques. ‘Big Beef’ is resistant to Verticillium, Fusarium Race 1 & 2, Stemphylium, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Nematode, and Alternaria Stem Canker.

Colen Wyatt, at Seminis Vegetable Seeds, was one of the most successful home garden vegetable plant breeders in the last half of the 20th century. He bred ‘Big Beef,’ ‘Celebrity’ and ‘Husky Gold’ tomatoes, all very successful AAS Winners. In addition to tomatoes, he bred cucumbers, pumpkins, and winter squash. ‘Early Butternut’ Squash was a 1979 AAS Winner bred by Colen. In 1998 AAS presented the prestigious Medallion of Honor to him for the abundance and superior quality of his vegetable introductions.