Kellogg's Breakfast
Solanum lycopersicum 'Kellogg's Breakfast'
This stunning heirloom beefsteak produces massive orange fruits that can weigh up to 2 pounds, with incredibly sweet, low-acid flesh that's perfect for those who find red tomatoes too tart. Named after railroad worker Darrell Kellogg's family variety from Michigan, it's become a favorite among gardeners seeking unique color and exceptional flavor.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Kellogg's Breakfast in USDA Zone 7
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Kellogg's Breakfast · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store freshly harvested Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes at room temperature, stem-side down, away from direct sunlight. They'll keep 5-7 days on the counter and continue developing flavor. Only refrigerate fully ripe fruits, and bring them back to room temperature before eating to restore their sweet flavor profile.
Due to their low acidity, these tomatoes aren't suitable for traditional water-bath canning and require pressure canning for safety. However, they freeze beautifully — core and quarter them, then freeze in freezer bags for winter cooking. Their sweet, mild flavor makes them excellent for making tomato powder when dehydrated, and they can be roasted and frozen in portions for later use in soups and sauces where their natural sweetness shines.
History & Origin
Kellogg's Breakfast traces its lineage to Darrell Kellogg, a railroad worker from Redford, Michigan, who maintained this family heirloom variety passed down through generations. The variety gained wider recognition in the 1990s when seed savers began sharing it beyond the Kellogg family, drawn to its unusual orange color and remarkably sweet flavor profile.
Unlike many orange tomatoes that can be bland, Kellogg's Breakfast was selected over decades of family cultivation for both its striking appearance and exceptional eating quality. The name reflects both the family heritage and the tomato's breakfast-table appeal — its low acidity makes it gentle enough for morning consumption, unlike more acidic red varieties that can be harsh on empty stomachs. This variety represents the best of American heirloom preservation, maintained by a working-class family who understood that great tomatoes come from patient selection and careful seed saving.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for better root growth and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels various pests and attracts beneficial pollinators
Lettuce
Benefits from tomato shade and utilizes different soil nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds that suppress tomato development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance. Susceptible to cracking in wet conditions.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases
Cracking, blossom end rot, late blight, early blight