BEN GANTZ TOMATO SEEDS

10+ Organically Grown Seeds – Ben Gantz Tomato

Ben Gantz is an outstanding heirloom-style tomato developed by Paul Gantz of Hagerstown, Maryland, from a cross between the beloved varieties Stupice and Cherokee Purple. Developed between 2003 and 2008 and later distributed to members of the Tomatoville community for evaluation, Ben Gantz quickly earned praise for combining the earliness of Stupice with the rich, complex flavor that made Cherokee Purple famous.

This indeterminate, potato leaf variety produces vigorous plants that deliver surprisingly early harvests for a large-fruited beefsteak tomato. Gardeners looking for exceptional flavor without waiting until the very end of the season will appreciate Ben Gantz’s ability to produce sizeable fruits earlier than many comparable beefsteak varieties.

The fruits are typically 180–250 grams, though under favorable growing conditions they can reach 500 grams or more. Tomatoes are generally flattened beefsteaks with gently ruffled or wavy shoulders. Larger fruits often develop the most attractive shape and are especially prized for slicing.

Inside, Ben Gantz reveals beautiful pink flesh that is juicy, meaty, and packed with flavor. The taste is frequently described as excellent, offering the rich sweetness, balanced acidity, and full-bodied tomato character that heirloom enthusiasts seek. Its combination of flavor, texture, and appearance makes it an exceptional choice for fresh eating, sandwiches, salads, and tomato tastings.

Plants continue producing throughout the season and benefit from staking or caging to support the substantial fruit load. The potato leaf foliage provides excellent canopy coverage and contributes to the variety’s vigorous growth habit.

For growers seeking a large pink beefsteak that combines early maturity, impressive fruit size, and outstanding flavor, Ben Gantz remains one of the most successful modern heirloom breeding achievements to emerge from the Tomatoville community.

Type: Indeterminate
Leaf Type: Potato Leaf
Days to Maturity: Early to Mid-Season
Fruit Size: 180–250 grams, occasionally up to 500+ grams
Fruit Color: Pink
Shape: Flattened Beefsteak with Wavy Shoulders
Breeder: Paul Gantz
Parentage: Stupice × Cherokee Purple