There are many varieties of tomato to choose from when planning your garden. In addition to different colors, shapes and tastes, some tomatoes grow differently than others. For instance, did you know that some varieties stop growing once fruit is set, and others continually produce? From ‘San Marzano’ to ‘Celebrity’, ‘Mortgage Lifter’ to ‘Big Boy’ there is a tomato to satisfy every palette.
Learn more about the different growth habits of tomatoes below to create a thriving garden and enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Beefsteak Determinate Tomato
Brandywine Indeterminate Tomato
What’s the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?
Determinate varieties stop growing once fruit is set, so staking or caging is usually not necessary. Harvest time is short as all the fruit develops and ripens at about the same time. These varieties are often used for making sauce, canning, and juicing. Popular determinate varieties include ‘Roma’, ‘Celebrity’, and ‘San Marzano’.
Indeterminate varieties keep producing new shoots and blossoms after fruit sets, continually producing until frost kills them. All stages of development may be on the plant at once. Fruit ripens fast, so harvest often. The more you pick, the more you’ll get. ‘Beefsteak’, Brandywine’ and ‘Sweet Million’ are popular indeterminate favorites.
Black Krim Heirloom Variety
Assorted Heirloom Varieties
What is an Heirloom tomato?
Heirloom means the variety has been in cultivation for at least 50 years. They are treasured for their diverse flavors, colors, and historical significance, making them a favorite among gardeners. Heirlooms are usually open-pollinated, meaning they are naturally pollinated by exposure to birds and bees. Some popular heirloom varieties include: ‘Brandywine’, ‘Beefsteak’ and ‘Mortgage Lifter’.
What does the term open-pollinated or OP mean?
Open-pollinated refers to a variety that is naturally pollinated by exposure to birds and bees and produces seeds that grow into plants with tomatoes that look and taste like the parent. These seeds can be saved from year to year. ‘Brandywine’, ‘Black Krim’, and ‘Beefsteak’ are the most popular open-poollinated varieties.
What are hybrid tomatoes?
Hybrid tomatoes are cross-pollinated varieties, usually created with the goal of producing plants resistant to a particular disease or pest. Seeds of hybrids will often produce a wide variation of undesirable characteristics in their offspring thus the seeds are not worth saving. Varieties include favorites such as ‘Better Boy’ and ‘Big Boy’.
What do the initials on the tomato tags stand for?
They letters displayed on the tag of each tomato refers to their disease tolerance. For varieties that exhibit tolerance to certain diseases, look for the variety name followed by the initials V, F, N, T and/or A, which indicates that this plant variety, under normal growth conditions and health, has demonstrated a higher resistance to common tomato problems: Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), Nematodes (N), Tobacco mosaic virus (T) and Alternaria (A).
Raised Bed Planters
Container Grown Vegetables
Can I grow tomatoes in a pot or container?
Yes, any tomato that is grown in a garden can be grown in a container. Mid to large sized tomato varieties such as ‘Beefsteak’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Whopper’, etc., and most Heirloom varieties require a large tub or container 20 inches or more in diameter. Bush or dwarf-type varieties such as ‘Husky’ can be grown in smaller containers 12-inch or more in diameter. Place one plant in each container only.
Understanding the differences between tomatoes will help you to choose the varieties that will grow best in your garden; producing a delicious bounty you’ll enjoy throughout the season.