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When spring arrives, there’s one question that comes up every year among gardeners, both beginners and experienced: Which tomatoes should I plant this season?
And if you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of a seed display or at a garden center thinking, “There are way too many… how do I choose?” rest assured: you’re definitely not alone.
Good news: choosing tomatoes doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to ask yourself the right questions.
Before we even get into cherry tomatoes or giant beefsteak tomatoes, the first question is quite simple:
What kind of gardener are you?
Are you looking for an easy-to-care-for, forgiving plant that won’t mind if you forget to water it or spend the weekend away from home?
Or, on the contrary, do you like to experiment and try rare or lesser-known varieties that you can’t find at the grocery store?
If you're just starting out or if you're short on time, it's better to choosetwo or three reliable varieties rather than trying your hand at a dozen exotic ones. Success is what keeps you motivated. On the other hand, failure can quickly become discouraging, and you may start to doubt your gardening skills.
Failure isn't always a matter of having a “green thumb.” It could be:
a variety that isn't well-suited to your climate,
from a less productive seed,
or simply due to unusual weather conditions that year.
On seed packets or plant labels, you’ll often see the terms “determinate” or “indeterminate.” These are common terms… but they’re not always well understood. Here’s a comparison chart to help you make your choice:
Now, just ask yourself if you have the space and energy to care for such a vigorous plant. Choose what really suits your garden… and your pace.
The climate plays a huge role in the success of your tomatoes. If you live in a region with a short growing season, choose varieties that:
early-maturing,
selected to produce well despite a shorter summer.
Some tomatoes take 90 days to ripen, while others take as little as 55. This difference can make or break your growing season.
On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to have a long, hot summer, you can opt for later-maturing varieties.
A tomato plant takes up space. You might as well make sure you’re growing tomatoes you’ll actually eat.
Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or cocktail tomatoes. They’re very productive and hardy… but be warned: they rarely make it to the plate. Kids and food-loving gardeners often eat them right in the garden.
Medium-sized, juicy, and flavorful. Perfect for summer salads and available in a variety of colors to brighten up your dishes.
A large, meaty tomato. Just one slice is enough to fill a sandwich. Juicy, flavorful, and very satisfying.
Less juice, fewer seeds, more flesh. Ideal for sauces, canning, and freezing. In this case, a determinate tomato plant can be an advantage for harvesting a large quantity all at once.
Some tomatoes are absolutely delicious… but don’t produce many fruits or are more delicate.
Others yield an abundance of fruits, with a more traditional flavor.
There are no right or wrong choices, only priorities.
If your goal is to grow a bountiful harvest, freeze the produce, or share it with your neighbors, choose varieties known for their high yield.
If you're looking to treat yourself to some freshly picked tomatoes, be sure to save room for your favorite variety.
In conclusion, it’s better to have 2 or 3 varieties that are well-suited to your situation than 12 chosen at random.
Over time, season after season, you’ll develop your own list of favorites and identify the ones you can’t do without.
Now is the time to make informed choices and enjoy your next tomato season to the fullest!
🌼Sophie
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