Bear Creek Tomato Seeds - Lycopersicon lycopersicum

Non-GMO Open-Pollinated Rare Bear Creek Tomato Seeds

Bred by tomato breeder Keith Mueller, this stabilized cross of Brandywine and Cherokee Purple brings together the best of both worlds. Producing generous mid-season harvests of stunning black bicolored beefsteaks. Fruits average 6–10 ounces and show off deep maroon tones swirled with green. The flavor is everything you’d hope for from its legendary parents: rich, sweet, and complex with that signature smoky-sweet depth cherished in dark tomatoes. Even better, these plants offer improved disease and blight resistance, along with higher yields and better crack resistance than many classic heirlooms.

We find Bear Creek to be a vigorous, indeterminate variety that rewards growers with steady production throughout the season. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost, providing consistent warmth for strong germination. Transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed, spacing plants generously to support airflow and robust growth. As a vining type, Bear Creek benefits from staking, caging, or trellising to support its heavy fruit set and keep plants healthy.

These tomatoes thrive in full sun and rich, well-draining soil, with consistent moisture to encourage even fruit development. Mulching can help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture, especially during warmer months. While this variety shows improved resistance compared to many heirlooms, good garden practices—like crop rotation and proper spacing—will further support plant health.

Harvest when fruits develop their full deep coloration and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Picking regularly encourages continued production, and fruits can be enjoyed fresh, sliced, or in richly flavored sauces where their complex taste truly shines.

Seed Profile

• Open-Pollinated

• Non-GMO

• Annual

• Sun: Full

• Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Direct Sow: No 

• Seed Count: 25

• Days to Maturity: 64-70 from transplant date

• Plant Size: 4'-8' vine

• Indeterminate 

Gardener's Tips

Seeds should be planted indoors and kept in a dome with a heated mat for 6-8 weeks. 

It is key that your new starts be hardened off.  This is a process that requires taking them outside during the day, for a period of time, before they are planted. This acclimates your seedlings to the outside world, meaning the elements like the wind and sun. We do it for several weeks to a month as this strengthens their stems and overall plant structure. 

• Start for a short period of time initially, then graduate to more time each day

• One week minimum is recommended

• Bring them inside in the early evening and overnight

• Keep an eye on them and constantly water them. Make sure they have not blown over. 

Mulch at base of plant.  Read our blog post on The Power of Mulching

Use trellis or cage for support. 

Water only base of plant.

Harvesting Tips

Harvest when fruits develop their full deep coloration of mottled colors.and yield slightly to gentle pressure.

Picking regularly encourages continued production, and fruits can be enjoyed fresh, sliced, or in richly flavored sauces where their complex taste truly shines.