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Do you love home-grown tomatoes? Then you’re in the right place! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a vine-ripened tomato fresh from the garden. They offer bold flavors not usually found in grocery store varieties, which are often chosen for how well they ship and store on the shelf, instead of taste.
You will come across a wide selection of tomato varieties when you are shopping for seeds or starts. Before you rush out to pick out the first tomato plants you see, research what will do best in your yard and fit your culinary needs.
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Considerations for Picking Tomato Varieties
General types of tomatoes include:
- Beefsteak (big, great for slicing)
- Cherry (small for salads and eating out of hand)
- Plum (good for sauces and pastes)
- Salad (medium, good for general use)
Tomatoes are also divided into whether they are determinate or indeterminate. If one is determinate, it will grow to a certain height and width and then stop. One crop will be produced before the plant dies. On the other hand, indeterminate plants will keep growing throughout the season. This is important to know if space is a consideration as indeterminate varieties can turn into a jungle if the conditions are favorable.
Finally, they will be labeled as either hybrid or heirloom. If a plant is hybrid, it is the result of crossing other varieties. They are not likely to retain their desired characteristics if you try to save the seeds for the next year, and they may even be sterile. In contrast, you can collect seeds from heirlooms because they do generally keep the same genetics in their seeds.
Tomato Varieties to Check Out
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1.Black Krim
- Type: Beefsteak
- Growth: Indeterminate
- Genetics: Heirloom
- Days to Harvest: 80
Interested in trying a tomato that isn’t red? Go for the Black Krim! This Russian variety sports fruit that bears a rich purple-red hue and is packed full of flavor.
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2. Brandywine
- Type: Beefsteak
- Growth: Indeterminate
- Genetics: Heirloom
- Days to Harvest: 78
This is the most common type of heirloom that you will see available for sale, and has been planted since the 1800s. Each pinkish-red tomato can weigh over a pound!
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3. Early Girl
- Type: Salad
- Growth: Indeterminate
- Genetics: Hybrid
- Days to Harvest: 54-59
This variety is very popular due to its early harvest date. Early Girl will work well as a general purpose tomato for all of your favorite recipes.
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4. Great White
- Type: Beefsteak
- Growth: Indeterminate
- Genetics: Heirloom
- Days to Harvest: 85
In addition to red, orange, pink, purple, green and yellow, tomatoes can also be white when ripe. This variety is notable for being especially sweet, making it a delight to eat fresh!
Click NEXT for 6 more delicious varieties!
