Tomato Varieties Explained
We always get questions about growing tomatoes. And the most frequent questions we hear are:
What it means for a tomato to be determinate or indeterminate?
Is one easier to grow?
Does one taste better than the other?
What’s our favorite?
In this post we will try to answer these questions for you.
Determinate Tomatoes
Determinate tomato plants are varieties that grow and mature their crop during a set period of time. Once they have completed their cycle, they will not produce more blooms or fruit. Determinate tomato varieties tend to be smaller, bush-style plants which do not require the staking or support that an indeterminate variety requires. Instead, they typically grow in the range of 3 to 4 feet tall and maintain their bushy shape. And, because of this, they are easily managed in their space, often being great candidates for smaller gardens and pots.
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomato varieties continue to grow, bloom and produce new tomatoes all season long. Of course the season is dependent on growing conditions (like weather and temperature) and location (like inside a greenhouse versus outside in the garden). Indeterminate tomato varieties tend to be larger, more expansive plants requiring staking and/or trellising support to support the plant structure. As long as these plants have good growing conditions and are healthy, they will continue to grow and produce.
Which is Easier to Grow?
Both tomato varieties generally have the same growing needs, such as soil quality, water needs, appropriate weather conditions, temperature and plant nutrition. But, since determinate varieties are generally smaller and easier to maintain since they often do not require support, I feel that determinate varieties are easier to grow. In fact for beginning gardeners or those with a smaller yard or container garden, I would always recommend starting out with a determinate variety.
Which Tastes Better?
In my opinion there are great varieties of both determinate and indeterminate tomatoes so neither variety tastes better than the other. Do your research on the best tomatoes for your specific needs. For example one tomato variety may be great to eat raw or in a salad but not work well for canning or using in sauces. One suggestion I always make regarding to determinate tomato varieties is to stagger planting. Since determinate varieties produce during a specific time period within the growing season, by staggering the planting, as one plant’s production ends another plant will begin its production cycle.
What’s Our Favorite?
After years of growing tomatoes we have found that our top two favorites for taste, ease of maintenance and production are Cherokee Purple and Black Trim tomatoes.
Cherokee Purple: Cherokee Purple tomato seeds are believed to have been passed down from Native Americans of the Cherokee tribe. It is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety known for a dark color and sweet, rich taste. The tomato is a beautiful dusky pink with a deep, rich-red interior. Cherokee Purple grows well in most regions of the U.S. We let the fruit ripen on the vine for the best flavor. It is a consistent taste test winner at tomato fests around the country and, for an heirloom, it is a great producer.
Black Krim: Black Krim is also an indeterminate heirloom variety originating in Russia. It has a wonderful rich flavor and is popular at many markets on the West Coast and a chef’s favorite. Black Krim tomato plants produce large tomatoes with deep reddish-purple skin. In hot, sunny conditions the skin turns nearly black. The flesh is rich and sweet with a slightly smoky, homegrown flavor.