What Are The Easiest Tomatoes To Grow In A Home Garden?
A juicy and flavorful tomato is the pinnacle of success for many home gardeners. Although there are squashes, beans, and root vegetables that bring joy to those who grow their own produce, nothing quite compares to a fresh tomato. But growing great tomatoes can be quite challenging, especially certain heirloom varieties. If you are just starting out as a home gardener, you will want to know the tomato varieties that are the easiest to grow.
Cherry, grape, and other small cluster tomatoes tend to be the easiest to grow in your home garden. Determinate varietals work well when spaces are limited, while some indeterminate varietals easily produce lots of tomatoes. Napa grape, cherry tomatoes, and glacier are all great for first-time tomato growers. Sun gold tomatoes are great for hotter climates, and consider sub-arctic varietals when your growing season is short.
The color, flavor, and texture of a homegrown tomato beat anything you can find in a supermarket, and at just a fraction of the price. But choosing the right tomato varietal to grow can be overwhelming, especially for a beginner. There are more than 7,500 varieties of tomatoes, each with pros and cons. If you are new to gardening, choose tomatoes that are easy to grow, as this almost guarantees you will have a successful crop on your first try. This article will highlight the best easy-to-grow tomato types, as well as tips on how to grow tomatoes in your garden.
Determinate Versus Indeterminate Tomatoes: Which Are Better?
As you begin your hunt for the perfect tomato, you will quickly learn there are two tomato categories. These two categories are determinate tomatoes and indeterminate tomatoes.
Determinate tomatoes are often referred to as “bush” tomatoes. This is because they grow upwards in one tall bush-like manner. Some varietals can be four or five feet tall. In addition to their appearance, one key difference between determinate tomatoes and indeterminate tomatoes is that determinate tomatoes only ripen once per cycle.
This means that the plant will take its normal time to mature (between 50 and 90 days) and then it will grow lots of tomatoes in one fruitful period. After this, there will be no more fruit.
Indeterminate tomatoes grow more vine-like. They tend to sprawl out and grow closer to the ground. They usually require fencing and support, otherwise, they become a tangled mess on the ground. Indeterminate varietals are great for those who want tomatoes throughout the season, as they grow continuously until the first frost.
Five Tomato Varietals To Easily Grow In Your Home Garden
1. Napa Grape
Napa grape tomatoes are flavorful and hearty grape tomatoes. They are packed with a good sugar content but are small in size, making them easy and quick to grow. This grape tomato varietal is known for having the highest sugar content of the grape tomato family. Grape tomatoes are easy to grow, but sometimes lackluster in flavor. This is why Napa grape tomatoes are so perfect for those looking for an easy tomato plant.
They are an indeterminate variety, so as long as you can keep them alive, they will continue to produce small red morsels that are great for salads, soups, and all sorts of meals. Napa grape tomatoes are also resistant to disease, which makes growing them less difficult. These tomatoes ripen in about 65 days, which is quicker than average as well.
2. Super Sweet 100 Cherry Tomatoes
Arguably the most iconic of the easy-to-grow tomatoes is the cherry tomato. Cherry tomatoes are an ideal choice for those looking for an easy tomato to grow. Unfortunately, it can be hard to decide, as there are more than 100 varieties of cherry tomatoes.
One of the best varieties of cherry tomatoes to grow is the super sweet 100. It should come as no surprise that these tomatoes are loaded with sugar and flavor. In addition to the flavor, this cherry tomato is also quite hearty, making it hard to kill as long as you water it properly.
One of the best qualities of super sweet 100 tomatoes is their abundance. They are an indeterminate tomato type, so they do require some space. But just one plant can yield upwards of 1,000 small and delicious tomatoes.
3. Patio Choice Yellow Tomatoes
Another great cherry tomato variety is the patio choice yellow tomato. These tomatoes have a lovely golden-yellow color. This makes them perfect for livening up any dish.
In addition to their vibrant color, this determinate species is very easy to grow and requires little space. Unlike some varietals, these plants only grow about two feet high. This means you can pot these by a full-sun kitchen window, or anywhere in a small garden. These are delicious, easy to grow, and space-saving tomatoes, perfect for any garden.
4. Sun Gold
Sun gold tomatoes are another cherry tomato varietal. These are the perfect tomatoes to plant for those who live in hotter climates. Sun golds get their name from their beautiful yellow color, but they also grow great in the golden sun.
These tomatoes are firm and resilient, making them great at producing fruit in more difficult conditions. They are also full of flavor. Best of all, these tomatoes churn out tons of fruit. In fact, you can harvest a sun gold plant twice a week once it starts producing fruit. This makes it a maximum reward plant that involves a minimal amount of effort.
5. Glacier Tomatoes
Glacier tomatoes get their name from the fact that they require a short growing season. Due to this short growing season, where they take less than 60 days to produce tomatoes, these plants can be grown further north than other varietals.
Glacier tomatoes are also a bit larger than cherry tomatoes, about 2 inches in diameter. This is a great option for those who don’t have a long growing season but want a hearty tomato they can slice. These tomatoes are semi-determinate, so they grow bush-like but require a bit more space. But they will also produce lots of fruit, which is great since you likely don’t have a very long season.
Tips For Beginners On How To Easily Grow Tomatoes
Don’t Skimp On The Soil And Nutrients: Nutrient-rich soil will help give your tomatoes that boost, especially when they first start growing. Make sure you use quality soil and fertilizer when transplanting your tomatoes into your vegetable garden.
The More Sun The Better: Tomatoes love the sun. All tomato varietals are full sun plants. They will survive in less than full sun, but the more sun you give them, the more they will thrive.
Start Small, Then Go Bigger: Don’t be overly ambitious the first time you grow tomatoes. We all want giant and juicy heirloom tomatoes, but those take time. Choose tomatoes you know you can commit to growing, and that are certain to yield results. Then challenge yourself next season.
Beware Of Pests: People aren’t the only ones who love tomatoes. Pests, rodents, birds, and even deer love juicy tomatoes. Make sure you use netting, wire, and whatever else is necessary to ensure that you are the only one eating your delicious tomatoes.
Give Them Space: Make sure you budget enough space for your plants. Know how much room your plants need to grow, both vertically and horizontally. Make sure they have the support posts and netting to keep them from snapping under pressure.
Final Notes On What Tomatoes Are Easiest To Grow
Tomatoes are essential in any home vegetable garden. But sometimes growing them can be more challenging than other vegetables. In order to ensure your tomatoes grow plentifully and easily, try planting grape tomato or cherry tomato varietals. Napa grape and super sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are favorites among tomato-loving home gardeners. Remember to plant your tomatoes in rich soil and in full sun.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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