Big Beef
Main Season Tomato in the US

You'll want to start these beauties indoors, oh yes, about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. Get some good seed starting mix in small pots or trays, sow the seeds about a quarter-inch deep, and keep 'em warm, 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is spot on. They're quick to pop up, usually within a week or so. Folks in warmer areas, USDA Zones 8 and 9, can get cracking in January or February. If you're in Zones 6 or 7, February or March is your window. And for those in Zone 5, March or April will be just right.

Once your seedlings have their first proper leaves, 'prick 'em out' into bigger pots, giving them a bit more room to grow strong. Before you plant them outside, you must harden them off for a week or ten days, just to get them used to the fresh air and cooler nights. Wait until all danger of frost has passed for good, then transplant them into a nice sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Get your stakes in straight away, see, so you don't damage the roots later on.