Eventual height & spread
tomato (beefsteak) 'Bloody Butcher'
beefsteak tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Bloody Butcher'
- approx 10 seeds
- £2.99
- available to order from late spring
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
- Position: full sun
- Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Hardiness: tender annual
A heritage, beefsteak variety with prolific crops of golf ball sized deep red fruits on sturdy stems. One of the earliest varieties to set fruit, ‘Bloody Butcher’ will perform even in cooler conditions producing tomatoes with a meaty texture and strong flavour. This variety holds together well when cut, and so is particularly well suited for slicing and eating raw.
Plant out in a greenhouse from March or outdoors after risk of frost has passed. For the best yields - remove any sideshoots that develop between stem and leaf stems. Shake flowers to aid setting. Once plant has reached its 6th truss of flowers, pinch out the top of the main stem to develop the fruits. Keep well-watered and feed weekly once flowers form. Keep water levels in the soil consistent to prevent blossom end rot and split fruit. Increase water in hot spells and reduce in cool weather to keep the soil constantly damp.
Sow indoors under gentle heat 1cm (¼”) deep in trays or alternatively two seeds per pot using good quality seed compost. Lightly cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Germination takes 1-2 weeks.
