How to Choose Tomato Plant Varieties

How to Choose Tomato Plant Varieties

According to various gardening resources, selecting the right tomato variety involves understanding the needs of your garden as well as the specific attributes of the tomatoes themselves. With over 700 varieties available today, understanding factors such as growth habits, disease resistance, and intended use is crucial for successfully growing tomatoes.

As a long-time gardening enthusiast and a founding employee at Gardener's Supply, I now run my own company, Johnnie Brook Creative. My home in Richmond, VT, boasts a substantial vegetable garden, seasonal greenhouse, and diverse plantings, including perennials and container plants. My passion lies in gardening, and I invite you to join me on this journey. You can watch my January video interview with Garden Gate magazine for more insights.

Lianshou offers quality seeds that are exported globally. Our mission is to provide high value-added products to our customers, allowing us to build a better future together.

Tomatoes are an essential vegetable in American gardens, treasured for their diversity in flavors, colors, and sizes. Whether you prefer them red, yellow, green, or even purple, there is a wide range to choose from to suit your preferences.

Disease Resistance

Tomatoes can fall prey to various diseases, which can weaken the plants and diminish yields. To ensure healthy growth, check the seed packet or label for resistance information. Look for designations such as V for verticillium wilt and F for fusarium wilt, which are common ailments. If you're in an area prone to root-knot nematodes (N), Tobacco Mosaic virus (T), or Alternaria (A), seek varieties that offer resistance to these issues too. Late blight is prevalent in many regions, so opt for resistant varieties.

Growth Habit

Understanding the growth habits of tomatoes is essential to maximizing your garden's potential. There are two primary types to consider:

1. Determinate varieties: They reach a specific height (typically between 2 and 3 feet), set fruit, and then focus on ripening it.
2. Indeterminate varieties: These continue growing, producing fruit throughout the season until frost ends their life cycle. This type needs more support and attention.

If your space is limited or you're using pots, determinate varieties are ideal. They are also beneficial for gardeners in cold climates, as they allow for a harvest in a shorter timeframe. Conversely, if you have ample space and enjoy a staggered harvest, indeterminate varieties would be the better choice.

Heirloom, Open-Pollinated or Hybrid?

For those looking to save seeds annually, heirloom or open-pollinated varieties are recommended, as they produce consistent results. Heritage tomatoes like Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, and Arkansas Traveler are excellent choices. In contrast, hybrids, which are crosses of two different varieties, often display enhanced disease resistance and productivity but do not guarantee the same traits in future generations.

Many paste tomatoes are determinate types as they ripen within a brief window. I dedicate weekends to can and preserve the harvest during this time. These plants generally grow to about 2 feet high and don’t require much support—simple mulch works well to keep fruits off the ground.

Supplies for Growing Tomatoes

In contrast, cherry and beefsteak varieties are usually indeterminate, producing abundant yields from early summer to frost. Ensure you equip yourself with proper tomato supports and ties for these growing plants.

Time to Maturity

Timing your cultivation is vital, especially in regions with short growing seasons. For instance, I harvest tomatoes by early September, before the risk of frost. I prefer varieties that begin ripening within 75 days or fewer, as larger beefsteak varieties typically require around 90 days. Check the seed packet or label to find the days-to-harvest and account for frost dates in your area.

Tomato Variety Flavor and Texture

Flavor and texture ultimately drive my selection. From salads to sauces, fresh eating to canning, my choices are based on how well the varieties suit these uses.

Some of Our Favorite Varieties

Bush 506

This hybrid variety boasts robust stems and yields medium to large-sized flavorful tomatoes. As a determinate cultivar, it grows to about 18 to 24 inches tall and starts producing fruit in roughly eight weeks.

4th of July

This hybrid grows over 4 feet tall and produces a bountiful early crop with excellent flavor. You can start your own from seed or buy transplants in the spring.

Litt'l Bites

Described as the most compact tomato variety, it only reaches 2 feet tall yet yielded over 500 cherry tomatoes from one plant.

Brandywine

Often regarded as the most flavorful heirloom variety, Brandywine grows to 3 to 4 feet tall with stunning leaves and fruits. It's a must-have in your garden.

Juliet

This indeterminate variety is prolific, producing oval-shaped fruits that are about 2 inches long. They are exceptionally versatile for dishes like soups and salsas.

Best Tomatoes for Pots and Planters

Even with limited space, you can still enjoy homegrown tomatoes by selecting suitable varieties for containers. Here are some tips:

• Opt for determinate (bush) varieties, as they are typically more compact.
• Look for plants labeled "patio," "dwarf," or "mini" for suited options.
• Ensure the plant's mature height is compatible with your supports.
• Utilize container designs that incorporate support structures.
• For a broad selection, starting from seeds is advisable.
• Research local recommendations for low-maintenance options.
• Consider pruning to enhance productivity.

Equip your pots with premium potting soil rather than regular garden soil to ensure proper drainage and select appropriate supports to secure your plants from wind.

The Different Types of Tomatoes: Choosing the Best ...

Many gardeners start with transplants from stores, limiting their variety selection. Growing tomatoes from seeds opens up a vast array of interesting types, making the entire process more exciting. Here’s a detailed guide to different tomato categories:

Types of Tomatoes

Before selecting varieties, determine how you wish to use your tomatoes. The primary classifications include:

Slicing Tomatoes

These are large and round, perfect for sandwiches and burgers.

Paste Tomatoes

Characterized by rich flavor and thick walls, they make excellent sauces and are ideally suited for canning.

Cherry Tomatoes

Small, sweet, and perfect for snacking, cherry tomatoes are great for salads or grilling.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate

Understanding the difference between determinate and indeterminate varieties is fundamental. Determinate varieties stop growing after reaching a certain height and produce all their fruit at once, while indeterminate ones continue to flourish, producing harvests throughout the season.

Popular Kinds of Tomatoes

Next, let's explore some popular varieties to further enrich your gardening knowledge:

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes offer exciting flavors and unique stories, having been passed down through generations.

Beefsteak Tomatoes

The large size of beefsteak tomatoes makes them ideal for sandwiches, providing delicious flavors.

Green Tomatoes

Among tomato varieties are those that remain green even when ripe, adding uniqueness to your garden.

Pear Tomatoes

Aesthetic teardrop-shaped fruits perfect for salads.

Paste Tomatoes

Ideal for sauce and canning purposes, these flavorful heirloom varieties are perfect for preserving summer's bounty.

Cherry Tomatoes

These varieties will yield delightful, small snacking tomatoes.

As summer approaches, remember to get ready for growing your beloved tomatoes!

Article Written by: Leah Smith

About the Author: Leah Smith is the Seed Product Manager at Sow True Seed, where she focuses on incorporating new varieties into the catalog, ensuring top-notch seed stock for gardeners.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit indeterminate round tomato seeds.