The Complete Guide to Home-Grown Tomato Varieties
Growing tomatoes at home is one of the most rewarding gardening experiences, offering fresh flavors that far surpass anything you'll find in stores. With hundreds of varieties available, choosing the right tomatoes for your garden can seem overwhelming. This florist guide breaks down the best options for home gardeners, organized by type and growing characteristics.
Understanding Tomato Classifications
Before diving into specific varieties, it's helpful to understand how tomatoes are classified:
Growth Habit:
Determinate (bush): Compact plants that produce most fruit at once, ideal for containers and small spaces
Indeterminate (vining): Tall plants that produce fruit continuously throughout the season, requiring staking or caging
Fruit Size:
Cherry/Grape: Small, bite-sized fruits perfect for snacking
Slicing: Medium to large tomatoes ideal for sandwiches and fresh eating
Paste: Meaty varieties with less water content, perfect for sauces and preserving
Best Cherry and Grape Tomatoes
Sweet 100 (Indeterminate, 65 days) These prolific plants produce clusters of intensely sweet, cherry-sized fruits. Each plant can yield hundreds of tomatoes throughout the season. They're excellent for containers and hanging baskets, though they do need sturdy support due to heavy fruit production.
Sun Gold (Indeterminate, 65 days) Often considered the gold standard of cherry tomatoes, Sun Gold produces orange-yellow fruits with exceptional sweetness and a hint of tropical flavor. The vigorous vines are disease-resistant and extremely productive, making them perfect for beginning gardeners.
Black Cherry (Indeterminate, 75 days) These unique purple-black cherry tomatoes offer complex, rich flavors with hints of smokiness. The striking color makes them excellent for salads and garnishes, while their robust flavor profile appeals to gourmet cooks.
Stupice (Indeterminate, 60 days) An early-producing Czech variety that's perfect for cooler climates. These small, red tomatoes have excellent flavor and the plants continue producing even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Premium Slicing Varieties
Brandywine (Indeterminate, 80-90 days) The king of heirloom tomatoes, Brandywine produces large, irregularly shaped fruits with incredible flavor complexity. These pink tomatoes can weigh over a pound each and offer the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. They require a long growing season and warm conditions.
Cherokee Purple (Indeterminate, 80 days) This striking heirloom variety produces deep purple-red fruits with green shoulders. The flavor is rich and smoky with low acidity, making them appealing even to those who typically don't enjoy tomatoes. They're heat-tolerant and perform well in southern gardens.
Mortgage Lifter (Indeterminate, 85 days) Developed by a man who allegedly paid off his mortgage selling these tomatoes, Mortgage Lifter produces enormous fruits that can exceed two pounds. The mild, sweet flavor and impressive size make them perfect for sharing with neighbors and showing off at farmers markets.
Early Girl (Indeterminate, 50 days) One of the earliest slicing tomatoes, Early Girl is perfect for gardeners with short growing seasons. The medium-sized red fruits have good flavor and the plants are disease-resistant and reliable producers.
Best Paste and Sauce Tomatoes
San Marzano (Indeterminate, 80 days) The gold standard for Italian cooking, authentic San Marzano tomatoes produce elongated, plum-shaped fruits with sweet flavor and low acidity. They're perfect for making sauce, paste, and canning. Look for certified San Marzano varieties for the most authentic experience.
Roma (Determinate, 75 days) A reliable paste tomato that's perfect for beginning gardeners, Roma produces egg-shaped fruits with thick walls and few seeds. The compact plants don't require staking and produce their entire crop over a few weeks, making them ideal for preserving projects.
Amish Paste (Indeterminate, 85 days) This heirloom variety produces large, heart-shaped fruits that are excellent for both fresh eating and processing. The meaty texture and rich flavor make them versatile for many culinary applications.
Container-Friendly Varieties
Patio Princess (Determinate, 70 days) Specifically bred for container growing, these compact plants produce full-sized tomatoes despite their small stature. Perfect for balconies, patios, and small spaces where traditional tomatoes won't fit.
Tumbling Tom (Determinate, 70 days) Available in red and yellow varieties, these cascading plants are perfect for hanging baskets. They produce abundant small fruits that spill attractively over container edges.
Bush Early Girl (Determinate, 54 days) A compact version of the popular Early Girl, this variety produces medium-sized fruits on plants that stay under three feet tall. Perfect for containers and small gardens where space is limited.
Disease-Resistant Champions
Iron Lady (Determinate, 75 days) Bred specifically for disease resistance, Iron Lady tolerates many common tomato problems while producing excellent slicing tomatoes. The plants are compact and productive, making them ideal for organic gardeners.
Mountain Fresh Plus (Determinate, 77 days) This variety offers resistance to multiple diseases including late blight, making it excellent for areas with challenging growing conditions. The large, red fruits have excellent flavor and the plants produce reliably.
Celebrity (Determinate, 72 days) An All-America Selections winner, Celebrity combines disease resistance with excellent production and flavor. The medium-large fruits are perfect for slicing and the plants adapt well to various growing conditions.
Unique and Specialty Varieties
Green Zebra (Indeterminate, 75 days) These striking green tomatoes with dark stripes offer tangy, zesty flavor that's perfect for fried green tomatoes or unique salads. The plants are productive and the unusual appearance always generates conversation.
Chocolate Stripes (Indeterminate, 80 days) Deep maroon tomatoes with green stripes create one of the most beautiful varieties available. The complex flavor combines sweetness with earthy undertones, making them excellent for gourmet applications.
Yellow Pear (Indeterminate, 78 days) These tiny, pear-shaped yellow tomatoes are incredibly prolific and have a mild, sweet flavor. They're perfect for children's gardens and make attractive additions to salads and appetizer platters.
Growing Tips for Success
Starting from Seed vs. Transplants While you can purchase transplants from nurseries, starting from seed gives you access to hundreds more varieties. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for best results.
Soil and Location Requirements Tomatoes thrive in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily and protection from strong winds.
Support Systems Indeterminate varieties require sturdy support systems like cages, stakes, or trellises. Install supports at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later. Determinate varieties may need light support when heavily laden with fruit.
Watering and Fertilizing Maintain consistent moisture to prevent problems like blossom end rot and cracking. Water deeply but less frequently, and avoid getting water on leaves to prevent disease. Use a balanced fertilizer when planting, then switch to lower nitrogen formulas once flowering begins.
Planning Your Tomato Garden
For a well-rounded home tomato garden, consider planting:
1-2 early varieties for the first harvest
2-3 main season slicers for fresh eating
1 paste variety for cooking and preserving
1-2 cherry varieties for snacking and salads
1 unique variety for experimentation
This combination ensures a continuous harvest of diverse tomatoes from early summer through frost, providing fresh eating, cooking, and preserving opportunities throughout the growing season.
Remember that tomato growing is as much art as science. Don't be afraid to experiment with new varieties each year, and keep detailed notes about what works best in your specific growing conditions. The perfect tomato variety for your garden may be one you haven't tried yet.
