Tomato

Basic Information

Seed Number

4

Seed Name

Tomato

Variety

Big Mama Hybrid

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Indeterminate paste tomato

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 12 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

1 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

80 days from transplant

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-80°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

36-48 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun; 6-8+ hours/day

Water Needs

At least 1 in/week; keep soil evenly moist

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; slightly acidic soil is preferred

Minimum Container Size

10 gal

Plant Height

Indeterminate vine; typically 5+ ft with support

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

Yes

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–95 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5–10+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers support pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start indoors yearly. Paste tomatoes are great for sauce/canning.
Zone 6B Notes: Transplant after frost and when soil has warmed. Provide cages/stakes.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums, calendula, borage, garlic, chives
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Fennel, potatoes, corn very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 5-6 weeks before the May 5 frost date and transplant after frost danger has passed.
Germination: Maintain warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix.
Harvest: Harvest when fruits reach full ripe red color. Large meaty paste fruits are suited to sauce.
Seed Saving: F1 hybrid; saved seed will not reliably reproduce Big Mama Hybrid true to type.
Special Care: Indeterminate plants require staking or caging. Maintain even moisture and avoid excessive nitrogen.
Research Source: Burpee — https://www.burpee.com/tomato-big-mama-hybrid-prod000966.html — Big Mama Hybrid identity and variety information
Research Source: Burpee Home Gardens — https://www.burpeehomegardens.ca/Vegetables/PlantDetails.aspx?plantid=5085 — indeterminate habit, 24-36 inch spacing, water and sun needs
Research Source: Burpee Support — https://support.burpee.com/support/solutions/articles/60000738087-do-you-have-a-tomato-disease-resistance-chart- — 80-day maturity and indeterminate classification
Research Source: Burpee Support — https://support.burpee.com/support/solutions/articles/60001049029-how-long-does-it-take-for-tomato-seeds-to-sprout- — tomato germination range
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]