Thorburn's Lemon Blush is an heirloom beefsteak tomato with a remarkable resurrection story. After vanishing for 107 years, this variety was brought back from the brink of extinction by legendary seed saver William Woys Weaver, who recognized its magnificent flavor and distinctive appearance. The plant produces sweet, lemon-colored fruit blushed with lovely salmon pink, weighing around 170 grams each. It reaches maturity in 75 days and thrives in zones 3 through 11, making it accessible to gardeners across most of North America.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This is a tomato with soul, literally resurrected from near extinction after more than a century of being lost. The combination of bright lemon-yellow skin with salmon-pink blush creates an almost jewel-like appearance on the vine, and the flavor lives up to the stunning looks. Growing an heirloom that was saved from oblivion adds a layer of meaning that goes beyond ordinary gardening; you're stewarding a piece of culinary history that nearly disappeared forever.
As a beefsteak tomato, Thorburn's Lemon Blush is ideal for slicing fresh, the substantial fruit size and balanced flavor make it excellent on sandwiches, in salads, or simply eaten warm off the vine. The distinctive yellow-and-pink coloring makes it a showpiece on the plate, adding visual interest to any dish. Its sweet flavor and meaty texture also work well for sauces and cooking applications where you want a tomato that holds together and delivers genuine taste.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow at a soil temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping the seed starting mix warm and consistently moist. Seedlings will emerge within 7 to 10 days under these conditions.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Move plants outdoors once soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 24 inches apart in their final location.
Harvest fruits when they reach full lemon-yellow color with salmon-pink blush and yield slightly to gentle pressure. At 75 days from transplanting, fruits should be mature and ready to pick. Tomatoes can be harvested when fully colored or left on the vine a few extra days for maximum sweetness. Cut or gently twist fruits from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.
As an indeterminate variety, Thorburn's Lemon Blush will benefit from regular pruning to manage its vigorous growth and improve air circulation. Suckers (shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches) should be removed to direct energy into fruit production and reduce disease pressure. Prune carefully to avoid damaging the main vines, and allow some foliage to remain to protect fruit from sunscald.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Thorburn's Lemon Blush carries one of heirloom gardening's most poignant stories. This beefsteak tomato originated in antiquity, but somehow slipped out of cultivation entirely, vanishing for 107 years until it seemed lost forever. The variety was rediscovered and painstakingly revived by William Woys Weaver, a legendary seed saver and heirloom expert whose dedication to preserving rare varieties has saved countless plants from extinction. Thanks to Weaver's tireless work growing out seeds and rebuilding this tomato's population, gardeners today can experience a flavor and vigor that nearly disappeared from human cultivation.”