Choosing Seeds
Tomatoes come in a rainbow of colors and a large range of sizes. Some are best for making sauces, roasting, or slicing for sandwiches. While there are wide varieties of tomato plants that vary in size, color, and flavor, they all fall under two categories that are important to know. Determinant and Indeterminant.
Determinant:
Determinate tomatoes are also known as “bush” tomatoes because they grow to a predetermined size and then stop growing. These plants are generally smaller and more compact than indeterminate tomatoes, making them a great choice for container gardens or small spaces. Determinate tomato plants also tend to produce their fruit all at once, which can make them a good choice for canning or preserving.
Indeterminant:
Indeterminate tomatoes are also known as “vining” tomatoes because they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season. These plants can grow quite tall, often reaching heights of six feet or more. Indeterminate tomato plants require support such as staking or caging, to keep the plants upright and prevent them from falling over. Indeterminate tomatoes are known for producing a steady supply of fruit throughout the growing season, which makes them a great choice for fresh eating.
Other Considerations
When deciding what type of tomatoes you want to grow consider the following; space uses and look/flavor.
Space: If you have a smaller space, determinant varieties would be a good choice as indeterminant varieties will grow quite a bit larger.
Uses: If you want to make things like tomato sauces, salsa, ketchup, etc, a paste tomato would be a good choice. Paste tomatoes are generally meatier and less juicy than other types of tomatoes, with fewer seeds and a firmer texture. If you are more interested in sliced tomatoes for sandwiches and salads, beefsteak or “slicer” tomatoes are the way to go.
Look/Flavor: The world of tomatoes offers a vast spectrum of colors beyond red. I highly recommend adding some color variety to your tomato harvest! The flavor profile of tomatoes has quite the spectrum as well. Cherry tomatoes are often sweeter than beefsteak and paste usually falls somewhere in between.
Starting Seeds
Tomatoes should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date using a high-quality seed starting mix. A small amount of fish emulsion every few weeks can further boost the growth of tomato plants. When planting the seeds, I recommend planting two per cell and thinning out the less healthy-looking seedlings if both germinate. As the seedlings outgrow their starting space, it’s important to pot them up. As a general rule, seedlings should be potted up once they grow taller than their seed starting cell to ensure they receive adequate nutrients.
Transplanting
Tomatoes are not frost tolerant so they should be planted out in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Incorporating a slow-release organic fertilizer into the planting hole can promote optimal growth. All tomato plants require some sort of support. Install supports before transplanting them to avoid disturbing their root system later on. For determinant tomatoes, a simple stake or tomato cage should suffice, but it should be tall enough for the anticipated plant height. On the other hand, indeterminate tomatoes require more support. Using cattle panels or similar fencing, if feasible, is recommended as these plants can become quite heavy. A heavier-duty tomato cage or multiple stakes, along with consistent pruning, can also be effective.
Care
Tomatoes are known to be heavy feeders and will thrive with regular applications of organic fertilizer every few weeks. Fish emulsion is an excellent option, particularly in the early stages of growth, as it won’t cause plants to burn as some other fertilizers may. Consistent watering is equally important, especially in preventing diseases like blossom end rot.
Indeterminant varieties will need regular pruning. Prune by pinching off the suckers, which are the small branches that grow between the main stem and the leaves. This will help focus the plant’s energy on producing fruit. I suggest pruning to two main vines. Be sure to gently tie the vines to your support as they grow.
Determinant varieties do not need as much pruning but I do suggest trimming back some of the non-fruit-bearing branches close to the stem of the plant to increase airflow.
Pests and Disease
Tomato plants are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases that can hinder their growth and yield. Common pests include aphids, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies, while diseases such as early blight and powdery mildew can cause wilting and yellowing of leaves. To prevent these issues, it’s important to keep the soil and plants healthy with regular watering, proper fertilization, and pruning. Insecticidal soaps and organic pest control methods can also help control pests, while organic fungicides can be used to prevent or treat fungal diseases. Consider rotating your crops if you had issues with pests and diseases in the past. Early detection and intervention are key in preventing pest and disease problems from spreading to other plants.
Harvest
Tomatoes typically take about 60-80 days to mature after transplanting. When the tomatoes are ripe, they will be firm, and brightly colored and should come off of the vine fairly easily. Simply cut or pinch them right off the vine. Ideally, you want to let tomatoes sun ripen on the vine yet they will continue to ripen after they are picked. As your first frost approaches, you can harvest whatever remains on the plant to finish ripening indoors. If they are still green, place them in a paper bag and check them every day. Once they have some color, place them in a sunny window.
Storage and Preservation
Each variety will have its own shelf life and can last on your counter anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Store away from other vegetables to extend their shelf life.
Preservation Techniques
- Water bath canning (tomato sauce)
- Pressure canning (salsas, ketchup, etc.)
- Dehydrating
- “Sun” dried cherry tomatoes in oven or dehydrator
- Dehydrated and blended for tomato powder
Happy Growing!
