🍅 Quick take: Selwin Yellow is a vigorous, late-leaning indeterminate bicolor beefsteak reaching 6.5 ft (2 m) under cover. It is an exceptional producer of massive, 12-18 oz (350-500 g)+ golden-yellow fruits swirled with rosy-pink marbling. In northern, low-sun gardens, the flavor tends to remain mild and low-acid rather than tropical sweet, making it a stellar candidate for blending into golden homemade tomato juice. Full summary ↓
Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zone 4 Experience)
Mid-season, leaning toward the late side, indeterminate vine. The fruits are large to massive yellow-pink bicolor beefsteaks. Flavor was good, though it definitely could’ve used an extra kick of sweetness to be truly top-tier.
Very heavy yielder. In the greenhouse, the plant topped out right at 6.5 ft (2 m).
Very heavy yielder. In the greenhouse, the plant topped out right at 6.5 ft (2 m).
I had such high hopes for this variety because it set fruit like an absolute machine. But maybe it just didn’t get enough direct sunshine up here.
The tomatoes ended up pretty mild and lacked sweetness, so I ended up running the entire harvest through the juicer for homemade tomato juice.
The tomatoes ended up pretty mild and lacked sweetness, so I ended up running the entire harvest through the juicer for homemade tomato juice.
Quick Facts: Variety Summary
- 🌿 Growth Habit: Tall indeterminate vine reaching 6.5 ft (2 m) in high tunnels and greenhouses. Mid-season to late maturity cycle.
- 🍅 Fruit Profile: Broad, ribbed, oblate bicolor beefsteaks ranging from 12-18 oz (350-500 g) and larger. Pale yellow-orange skin with rosy streaks on the blossom end, opening to dense, multi-locular marbled flesh with small seed cavities.
- 📈 Yield Performance: Outstanding producer. Both growers reported remarkably heavy fruit set that out-yielded most standard bicolors in cool northern climates.
- 👅 Flavor Profile & Terroir: Mild and low-acid. In short-season northern zones with limited heat units (Zone 4), it struggles to concentrate intense sugars, making it far better suited as a base for sweet golden tomato juice and culinary sauces than as a standalone dessert slicer.
