Variety field guide
What to expect from Hillbilly (Regular Leaf)
Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) tomato seeds produce mixed beefsteak tomato fruit large bicolor beefsteak fruit, commonly 10–20 oz on indeterminate plants reaching 73–96 in; maturity is 80-89 Days.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) tomato seeds grow into indeterminate plants reaching 73–96 in, bearing mixed fruit large bicolor beefsteak fruit, commonly 10–20 oz. This beefsteak tomato is especially suited to fresh slicing, sandwiches, tomato plates, salads, and tasting gardens. Maturity is 80-89 Days from transplanting.
About Hillbilly (Regular Leaf)
Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) is a beefsteak tomato grown as Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants have an indeterminate habit and reach 73–96 in; support is listed as stake. The principal mature or market color is Mixed, with fruit described as large bicolor beefsteak fruit, commonly 10–20 oz. Reproductive classification: Open-Pollinated (OP). Maturity: 80-89 Days. Names associated with this variety include Tomato, Tomato Seeds - Indeterminate - Hillbilly Beefsteak Regular Leaf.
- Scientific name:Solanum lycopersicum L.
- Life cycle:Annual
- Planting season:Spring
- Growth habit:Indeterminate
- Plant height:73–96 in
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Seed depth:1/8 in
- Germination:6–12 Days at 75–90 °F
- Spacing:30 in between plants; 36 in between rows
- Soil:Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5
- Water:Moderate
- Support:Stake
- Reproductive type:Open-Pollinated (OP)
- Fruit:Mixed; Large bicolor beefsteak fruit, commonly 10–20 oz
History and seedkeeping context
Hillbilly is a long-circulating open-pollinated beefsteak tomato known in seed records for large yellow fruit streaked or marbled with red. Some records distinguish regular-leaf and potato-leaf strains, and the seed product is specifically maintained as the regular-leaf line. Because strain names can be reused or shortened in commerce, this page keeps the leaf-type distinction visible rather than treating every Hillbilly listing as identical.
The catalog does not assign a breeder, family chain, or community origin that the reviewed institutional record does not establish. Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) is maintained in this catalog as an open-pollinated (op) beefsteak tomato. Published records support the cultivar name and the observable fruit and plant traits used on this page.
Where the available documentation does not preserve a complete breeder, family, or community chain, Species-level tomato domestication in Andean South America is kept separate from the later history of this named cultivar, which may involve farmers, public breeders, gardeners, market growers, and seedkeepers in other regions. The listed heritage classification is Heirloom; it describes the catalog classification and does not prove an undocumented origin story. Public records do not yet establish every detail of the exact Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) seed line now in circulation.
Observable plant and fruit traits can be described, but a fuller breeder, supplier, accession, or family record should be added only when documentation for this maintained lot becomes available.
Fruit, flavor, and kitchen use
Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) is best for fresh slicing, sandwiches, tomato plates, salads, and tasting gardens. The expected flavor is rich, full-bodied slicing-tomato flavor with balanced sweetness and acidity. Fruit is described as mixed and large bicolor beefsteak fruit, commonly 10–20 oz. Use a tested current recipe for home canning; cultivar name alone does not establish safe acidity. Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) is especially useful for fresh slicing, sandwiches, tomato plates, salads, and tasting gardens. Flavor and eating quality are described as rich, full-bodied slicing-tomato flavor with balanced sweetness and acidity. For home canning, use a tested current recipe; cultivar name, color, or perceived sweetness does not establish safe acidity.
How to grow Hillbilly (Regular Leaf)
Start Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow 1/8 in deep in a warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix; expect 6–12 Days near 75–90 °F. Give seedlings strong light, move them into larger cells before they become root-bound, and harden them gradually before planting outside after frost danger.
Plant in full sun with loamy soil near pH 6.0–6.5. Space plants 30 in apart and rows 36 in apart. Maintain moderate moisture, mulch after the soil warms, and keep foliage off wet soil where possible. Set up stake at transplanting. The indeterminate plant reaches 73–96 in.
Season care
• Give Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) strong light from emergence so seedlings remain stocky rather than stretched. • Install stake when transplanting; adding support after vines are large can damage roots and stems. • Water at the soil line and maintain even moisture to reduce cracking, blossom-end rot risk, and stress-related fruit problems. • Harvest when the fruit has reached its cultivar-specific color and gives slightly to gentle pressure; color alone can be misleading on green, purple, or striped varieties. • Use 80-89 Days as a planning range rather than a guaranteed calendar date; weather and transplant stress can shift first harvest.
Harvest and maturity
80-89 Days from transplanting under suitable conditions. Harvest when the cultivar-specific color has developed and the fruit gives slightly to gentle pressure; green-ripe, striped, purple, and dark cultivars require more than a simple red-color test.
Saving seed
Tomatoes are primarily self-pollinating, but occasional crossing can occur. To maintain Hillbilly (Regular Leaf), save seed from several healthy true-to-type plants and bag unopened flower clusters when extra isolation is needed. Allow labeled fruit to ripen fully, squeeze the seed and gel into a container, ferment briefly until the gel releases, rinse clean, and dry the seed in a thin labeled layer. Store the finished lot cool and dry with the year, source, plant count, and isolation notes.
Common questions
When is Hillbilly (Regular Leaf) ready?
Plan around 80-89 Days. The listed range is a planning guide, and weather, transplant stress, and harvest stage can shift the actual date.
How long does germination take?
Expect 6–12 Days near 75–90 °F. Cooler media, excess water, old seed, or uneven moisture can delay emergence.
How large does it grow?
Expect about 73–96 in. Growth habit: Indeterminate. Support: Stake.
How is it used?
Fresh slicing, sandwiches, tomato plates, salads, and tasting gardens.
Can I save seed?
Tomatoes are primarily self-pollinating, but occasional crossing can occur.
