Sunset's Red Horizon is a classic Russian heirloom beefsteak tomato that delivers substantial 4 to 6-inch fruits on vigorous indeterminate vines from midsummer through the first fall frost. This open-pollinated variety reaches maturity in just 70-79 days from transplant, thriving in full sun across hardiness zones 2-11, making it accessible to gardeners in nearly every climate. The plant grows tall and sprawling, typically reaching 3 to 8 feet, and rewards patient growers with reliable production until cold weather arrives.

Photo © True Leaf Market
24
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
96in H x ?in W
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High
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An heirloom beefsteak from southern Russia with genuine staying power, Sunset's Red Horizon produces generous 4 to 6-inch fruits on indeterminate vines that keep bearing right up to frost. The relatively quick turnaround, 70-79 days from transplant, means you'll be slicing into these beauties by mid to late summer. This variety carries strong resistance to serious threats like Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus, while also tolerating Blossom End Rot, giving growers genuine peace of mind in challenging seasons.
Sunset's Red Horizon is a slicing tomato, equally at home on the summer table fresh, in salads, on sandwiches, or slowly roasted to concentrate its flavors. The substantial size and meaty texture of these beefsteak fruits make them particularly satisfying for simple preparations where the tomato itself is the star, a thick slice with salt and pepper, layered into a BLT, or halved and grilled. Their reliability and extended harvest window through autumn make them a practical choice for cooks who want fresh tomatoes for longer than peak season allows.
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your expected last frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in warm soil kept at 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit; seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days under these conditions. Once seedlings develop true leaves, thin to 2-3 inches apart or pot them individually to give roots room to develop.
Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Space plants 24 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart. Plant deep if desired, burying up to the first true leaves, as tomatoes root along buried stems for stronger establishment.
Pick fruits when fully red and slightly soft to the touch, typically 70-79 days after transplanting into the garden. A ripe beefsteak will yield gently to finger pressure but not feel mushy. Harvest regularly throughout the season to encourage continued production on the indeterminate vines. Since this variety produces reliably until the first frost, you can harvest green fruits in autumn and allow them to ripen indoors on a windowsill if light frosts arrive before fruit maturation.
As an indeterminate variety, this tomato will benefit from selective pruning of suckers (shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production and improve air circulation. Remove the lowest leaves once the plant is established and flowering has begun, which reduces disease pressure and allows better air movement around the base. Avoid heavy pruning that removes excessive foliage, since leaves are essential for photosynthesis and protecting fruit from sunscald; prune conservatively and only to improve structure or disease resistance.
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“Sunset's Red Horizon comes from southern Russia, where it developed as a trusted heirloom variety passed through generations of home gardeners. The open-pollinated nature of this cultivar means it breeds true from seed, allowing gardeners to save seeds year after year and maintain the exact same plant, a practice that has kept this variety alive and circulating among heirloom seed enthusiasts. Its journey from Russian gardens to western seed catalogs reflects the global appreciation for traditional varieties that consistently deliver flavor and performance without genetic modification.”