Solanum lycopersicum 'German Queen'
vegetableGerman Queen is a German heirloom beefsteak prized for its huge, sweet, low-acid fruits. Pink-red shoulders ripen to a deep rose-pink and the meaty 1 to 2 lb tomatoes are nearly seedless inside. Plants are indeterminate, vigorous, and reach 6 to 10 ft on a strong cage or stake, producing through midsummer to frost. Considered one of the best slicing heirlooms for sandwiches and fresh eating.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~80 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
36 in. apart
Planting Depth
Bury stem to first leaves
Soil pH
6.2-6.8
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting, then at first fruit set
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or 5-10-10
Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant out once nights stay above 50F. Bury the stem up to the lowest leaves so roots form along the buried stem, giving a stronger, more drought-tolerant plant. Set a stake or heavy cage at planting; indeterminate vines will outgrow a flimsy support. Prune suckers below the first flower cluster to focus the plant on fruit. Keep soil evenly moist, mulch deeply, and water at the base in the morning to limit foliar disease.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jul 18
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Scout undersides of leaves every few days; handpick or treat young larvae with Bt
Encourage ladybugs, plant alyssum nearby, and blast colonies off with water
Keep moisture even with deep mulch and consistent watering; avoid heavy nitrogen
Water deeply and evenly so big fruits do not split after a downpour following dry weather
German Queen ripens late, with the first fruits about 80 days after transplant. Pick when shoulders blush deep rose-pink and fruits give slightly to the touch. Big tomatoes can pull stems off the vine, so cradle each fruit and twist gently at the calyx. Store ripe tomatoes stem-side down on the counter; never refrigerate, as cold flattens the flavor.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium and the main dietary source of lycopene, a carotenoid linked in many studies to heart and prostate health. Lycopene is fat-soluble and actually becomes more available when tomatoes are cooked with a little oil, so a sliced German Queen sandwich and a slow-roasted tray both deliver, just differently.
Eat the ripe fruit only. Tomato leaves and stems (and large amounts of very unripe green fruit) contain solanine-type compounds and are not for eating.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.