Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomato varieties continue to grow and set fruit until frost, while determinate (or bush) tomatoes reach their mature height, set all their fruit at once, and stop growing at a predetermined size.

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Both tomato types are vines, yet indeterminate varieties tend to grow much taller than their determinate counterparts. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages; for instance, indeterminate tomatoes yield a higher fruit volume but demand greater upkeep, whereas determinate tomatoes are less labor-intensive, resulting in lower fruit output.

Indeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomatoes will keep growing, flowering, and producing fruit until the first frost puts an end to their season.

Providing Support

These vines can achieve heights of up to 12 feet, though a common height is around six feet. They require robust, tall supports, such as large stakes or cages, to withstand their weight; smaller cages may not suffice for sturdier varieties.

You should opt for cages that are at least four feet tall, using wood or bamboo as reinforcements when necessary. Additional supportive materials may include wooden or metal stakes with the addition of twine or twist ties.

Pruning

Trimming suckers on indeterminate tomato plants helps prevent overwhelming growth. Be cautious not to pinch off suckers located right below a flower, as this can destabilize growth rates and decrease your overall harvest.

To ensure your fruits receive adequate sunlight for ripening, it's essential to trim back any excess foliage.

How to Harvest Indeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomatoes provide a steady supply of fruit throughout the season, but they tend to ripen slightly later compared to determinate varieties, as their growth cycle involves expanding more in height.

As production continues into late season, keep a close eye on nightly temperatures. In the face of potential frost, it’s wise to harvest your tomatoes, including unripe ones. They can finish ripening off the vine when placed in a sunny spot or inside brown paper bags.

Determinate Tomatoes

Determinate tomatoes ripen their entire crop simultaneously, after which no further fruits will develop. They grow modestly to about four feet, making them ideal for gardens with limited space or even container gardening.

Most sauce tomato varieties fall under this category. Since they ripen all at once, they are perfect for preparing sauce in substantial batches.

Providing Support

Even though these tomatoes require staking for support—especially during summer storms—they won’t need ongoing support updates like indeterminate tomatoes, as they stop growing on their own.

When heavy with ripe fruit, these plants can tip over or suffer broken branches if they lack proper staking or support.

Pruning

Pruning suckers is unnecessary for determinate tomatoes, as they naturally stop growing. In fact, removing suckers can negatively impact yield; leaving them intact typically results in a better harvest.

How to Harvest Determinate Tomatoes

These plants visibly ripen their fruits within a short time span—approximately two weeks post-maturation. When the harvest is complete, these plants will soon begin to wither and bear little to no new fruit.

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Which Tomato Type Should I Plant?

When it comes to determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Your decision should be based on how you intend to use the tomatoes and the length of your growing season.

Choose determinate tomatoes for sauce-making, as these consist of fewer seeds and more flesh. They thrive in short growing seasons lasting a couple of months.

On the other hand, opt for indeterminate tomatoes if you desire a steady supply of fresh fruit throughout the growing season. While numerous indeterminate varieties can flourish in long seasons, some shorter-season types also exist.

Recommended Varieties

Consider the following determinate and indeterminate tomatoes for your garden.

Determinate Varieties

• Celebrity: This semi-determinate hybrid globe tomato varies between 3 to 4 feet in height, yielding 8 to 10-ounce fruits about 70 days after planting.
• San Marzano Nano: Unlike the standard San Marzano variety, this compact heirloom plum tomato is both juicy and flavorful, perfect for cooking.
• Amish Paste: This medium-sized pear tomato boasts a sweet flavor, ideal for cooking, canning, and slicing; you can save its seeds for the next season.
• Marglobe: This heirloom ripens within 75 days and has a firm flesh that is resistant to bruising and cracking.
• Rutgers: While classified as determinate, this variety offers an early and substantial crop of flavorful, disease-resistant fruit, along with several later flushes.

Indeterminate Varieties

The majority of tomato varieties found in the gardening market, including heirloom, cherry, and dwarf varieties, are indeterminate. Popular choices include 'Beefsteak', 'Big Boy', 'Brandywine', 'Sungold', and 'Sweet Million'.

Early-producing varieties, such as 'Early Girl', are also categorized as indeterminate. This type matures and sets back earlier, occasionally being labeled semi-determinate.

Here are additional hybrid indeterminate choices to consider:

• Better Boy: This beefsteak tomato produces 10 to 16-ounce fruits around 75 days post-planting.
• Big Beef: Another beefsteak variety yielding 10 to 12-ounce fruits approximately 73 days after sowing.
• Big Boy: This popular variety produces fruits in the range of 10 to 16 ounces about 78 days post-planting.
• Juliet: A hybrid elongating cherry tomato, this variant produces 1-ounce fruits about 60 days after planting.
• Sun Sugar: This cherry type bears 1-ounce yellow-orange fruit in about 62 days.

FAQ

• Which is better, a determinate or indeterminate tomato plant?

  It ultimately depends on your intended use for the tomatoes: determinate varieties are better for sauce-making, while indeterminate types are ideal for fresh consumption and snacking throughout the season.

• What are the best-tasting indeterminate tomatoes?

  A selection of favored indeterminate varieties include 'Beefsteak', 'Big Boy', 'Brandywine', 'Sungold', and 'Sweet Million'.

• Do you need to prune indeterminate tomatoes?

  Yes, it’s advisable to prune indeterminate varieties, as their long growth season typically results in excessive foliage. Pruning directs energy into fruit creation and allows sunlight to reach the fruits, aiding in ripening.

• How tall should I allow my indeterminate tomatoes to grow?

  Indeterminate types can achieve heights surpassing 10 feet. If they're challenging to manage, use your support materials to spread them out rather than letting them grow solely upwards. Additionally, trimming the tops can help, although it could reduce the overall fruit yield.

  Are you interested in learning more about hybrid indeterminate round tomato seeds? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!