From the warm, comforting taste of soup to the crisp, juicy texture that a slice of this fruit can add to your sandwich, few things are as tasty and versatile as a tomato. And if you’ve ever tasted this food fresh off the vine, you know that the flavor is unmatched.
But what if you don’t have the space to grow tomatoes yourself?
That’s where the Bush Goliath Tomato comes in. This tomato is as big as it sounds, yet its plant is compact enough to grow on patios or with limited outdoor space.
Read on to find everything you need to know about this perfect tomato variety.
Characteristics of Bush Goliath Tomatoes
Size
With a name that includes the word “Goliath,” it’s probably no surprise that these are big, beefsteak tomatoes.
Bush Goliath Tomatoes grow up to three to four inches by the time they reach maturity. For context, this means they’re around the size of a softball, which is three-and-a-half inches in diameter.
They typically weigh between 10 and 15 ounces. However, some growers have seen Bush Goliath Tomatoes range anywhere from six ounces to over three pounds!
How It Looks
Bush Goliath Tomatoes are picturesque: smooth, round, and the perfect shade of bright red.
On the inside, these tomatoes maintain their bright red color. Their flesh is robust with several pockets of tiny seeds.
Eating Bush Goliath Tomatoes
How They Taste
Bush Goliath Tomatoes taste similar to other beefsteak tomatoes. They have a mild tomato flavor with some extra sweetness due to their relatively high sugar content.
They also have a great balance of juiciness and meatiness which makes each bite satisfying.
How to Use Them
Although tomatoes are technically a type of fruit, they are often treated like vegetables when it comes to eating and preparing them. And fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to use this tasty food!
Tomatoes like the Bush Goliath Tomato make a great base for soups, sauces, and dips. They’re also great to eat fresh, sliced on a sandwich, or in a salad.
Try using your Busy Goliath Tomatoes to make your own salsa using this salsa recipe. Or, give it a shot in this warm tomato soup!
Health Benefits
Not only are tomatoes delicious, but they’re healthy too! Low in calories but high in nutrients, this fruit is a great addition to your diet.
A large tomato like Bush Goliath Tomatoes has about 33 calories, seven grams of carbs, two grams of dietary fiber, and five grams of sugar.
Tomatoes are high in antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C, which help prevent disease. Lycopene in particular has been associated with reduced cancer and heart disease risks.
They’re also a good source of nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium.
Where to Buy Bush Goliath Tomatoes
Bush Goliath Tomatoes are a type of beefsteak tomato, which is commonly found in grocery stores. However, grocery stores don’t often tell you which kind of beefsteak tomato they’re offering, making searching for Bush Goliath Tomatoes tricky.
If you want to be sure you’re buying this tomato variety, I recommend contacting growers in your area or visiting local farmers’ markets, which often have more niche varieties and sellers who can give you all of the information you need.
The other option you have is to try growing these hearty tomatoes yourself!
Growing Them At Home
Bush Goliath Tomatoes are the perfect tomatoes to grow if you want a big haul but you don’t have much space.
Keep reading for an overview of growing these fruits at home.
For more information about growing tomatoes, check out this in-depth How To Grow Tomatoes guide!
Growing Conditions
Bush Goliath Tomatoes are compact, with plants that grow up to three-and-a-half feet tall. This makes them a good option if your space is limited, you plan to use patio space, or you want to grow them in containers.
In general, like other tomatoes, this variety requires warm weather and full sun. Soil should be full of nutrients, so consider using compost or fertilizer. It should also drain well.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
Tomatoes are often classified as either determinate or indeterminate, which describes how their plants grow and produce fruits. However, the Bush Goliath Tomato exhibits characteristics of both.
The plants are compact and bush-like, which is typical for determinate tomato plants. But, the plant also has a longer growing period like indeterminate varieties, continuously producing fruits until frost arrives.
Planting the Seeds
You can plant Bush Goliath Tomato seeds indoors or outdoors. Just make sure the risk of frost has passed before direct sowing or transplanting them outside.
When you’re ready to plant your seeds, plant them a quarter of an inch deep in the soil. If you’re growing them in rows, plant seeds 24 to 36 inches apart. Alternatively, if you’re using a container, plant just one seed per five-gallon container.
Check out this article about How to Plant Tomato Seeds for more details and tips!
Care and Maintenance
Caring for Bush Goliath Tomatoes isn’t too hard, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Tomatoes need plenty of water, so be sure to provide a consistent supply.
Additionally, this variety needs fertile soil. You should add compost or fertilizer every seven to ten days.
Fortunately, this plant is resistant to common diseases, including fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, and root nematodes. However, if you notice any signs of disease, take a look at this post about Common Tomato Diseases to troubleshoot.
Harvesting Your Tomatoes
Bush Goliath Tomatoes require around 68 days to reach maturity. Once they’ve grown to the desired size and color, they are ready to be harvested!
To harvest your tomatoes, simply twist the fruit until the stem breaks off the vine, or use garden shears to cut them off.
Where to Buy Seeds
Although you may be able to find seeds for this particular tomato in stores, it can be a niche variety that is hard to find. I recommend buying the seeds online, such as these ones from Amazon
Bush Goliath: Soon to Become Your Favorite Tomato
As you can see, the Bush Goliath Tomato is an ideal tomato, especially if you want to grow tomatoes yourself with limited space. The fruit is big and delicious, grown from a compact, disease-resistant plant.
Ready to add even more tomatoes to your garden?
Visit our tomato plant page for all there is to know, including a multitude of tomato varieties, growing tips, recipes, and helpful products to help you get the most out of your home-grown tomatoes.