Determinate + Indeterminate Tomatoes
If you are already a gardener, you may be thinking, "Isn't it too late to be talking about, or even starting tomatoes?" The answer is no. Especially if you leave in warmer regions in like I do in zone 8a (Fayetteville or Eastern NC).
Tomatoes are such a versatile fruit; eaten fresh, dried, broiled, baked, sauced….
DETERMINATE VS INDETERMINATE
While there are many varieties of tomatoes, there are two major difference you must pay attention to before buying the seed or seedling. That difference is knowing if the plant is determinate or indeterminate.
In my garden I grow both types. Some are in raised beds while others are in fabric grow pots.
The difference only deals with what we will talk about below, and not about being organic, heirloom, etc. This determinate or not, can be organic or not. So let's jump into it.
Determinate tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes have a shorter growing time period then their counterpart. You will be able to harvest tomatoes sooner than later. You can say that the height of the plant is determined.
Another determined fact about these tomatoes are that they are a shorter, bush variety. So they don't vine or grow as tall as their indeterminate cousin.
Determinate tomatoes also only produce once. They are not the pluck and come again variety. So once you have harvested your tomatoes, don't expect any more to come back. But that can be a benefit for your garden, depending one what your goals are and what time of year you plant them.
You may know that cutting the tomato suckers help a tomato plant increase production (see below), but I don't do that for determinate tomatoes. I like them to get bushy and full.
Determinate tomatoes get between 2-4 feet tall. And like a said above, if you don't prune the suckers, they can get pretty full and bushy. It's not necessary to grow them in a cage or trellis, but many people grow them in a cage. I do stake them for additional support, especially if a strong wind comes through (learned the hard way).
The type of determinate tomato I am growing right now are Roma tomatoes. Beautiful, oblong, versatile Roma tomatoes. (INSERT PHOTO)
After harvesting the tomatoes, you will notice the plant start to brown and droop. It is telling you that it is at the end of its lifecycle.
If you still have green tomatoes when the plant starts to die, you can harvest them and do a couple things.
Sit them in a window sill to ripen.
Eat them green
Pickle them (INSERT PHOTO and tag recipe and video on IG)
Benefits of Growing Determinate Tomatoes
Great for the gardener that does not have a lot of space.
For those who want to can since you will get one big harvest.
Container an d raised bed gardening
Less maintenance
Grow later in the season because the growing time frame is shorter
Some Determinate Varieties
Ace
Bush Beefsteak
Dwarf Pink Passion
Early Wonder
Roma
Manitoba
Scarlet Red
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Unlike their determinate cousins, indeterminate tomatoes are vining plants. You will often see them growing around cages, stakes, or on arch trellises.
Not only do they vine, they also have a longer growing season. You can basically harvest until the frost comes. Also, you can harvest and more will come. Basically, you tell the plant, "Every time I take one of your tomatoes, I need you to grow more."
Indeterminate tomatoes are the variety that requires a little more maintenance. For these I trim the suckers and lower stems to make sure all the growing energy is devoted to growing the plant taller and producing fruit. Pruning also controls the "bushiness" of the plant, meaning it will continue to grow up rather than out.
The same as the determinate tomatoes, if you still have green tomatoes when the plant starts to die, you can harvest them and do a couple things.
Sit them in a window sill to ripen.
Eat them green (maybe mini fried green tomato wedges?)
Pickle them (INSERT PHOTO and tag recipe and video on IG)
Some Indeterminate Varieties
Beefsteak
Better Boy
Big Pink
Cherry Roma
Early Girl
German Pink
Heritage
Pink Wonder
Sungold
Supersteak
Sweet 100
No matter what type of tomato you grow, be sure you are prepared to care for it by having the right support (cage, stake, or trellis), know how much time you have to grow (shorter season = determinate, longer=indeterminate), and know how much you want to harvest (all at one time = determinate, throughout the season = indeterminate).
More about tomato…
If you need help with your garden, need a planting plan, or full garden design, book a consultation or coaching session at 31ede.com/consult.
Happy growing!!
