When you decide to start growing tomatoes on your own, it’s essential to know about the different tomato varieties available before you make the first hole in the ground. Each type has its unique flavor and texture, so you can choose the one that’s best for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular tomato varieties and tell you what to expect from each one. We’ll also give tips on selecting the perfect tomato for your needs. So, whether you’re a beginner or an expert tomato grower, you can still learn a lot from this guide.
What Tomato Varieties There Exist?
Tomatoes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Depending on the type, they can be round, oblong, or even heart-shaped. They can be red, yellow, green, black, or purple. And they can range in size from less than an inch (or ~2.5cm) to more than a foot long (~30cm)!
With so many choices, it can be challenging to know which type of tomato to choose to grow. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular varieties of tomatoes and tell you what to expect from each one.
PS: I know many people love black tomato varieties, so I made a guide on 20 of them that you can grow yourself.
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Beefsteak Tomatoes are one of the most popular types of tomatoes grown in home gardens. They are large, round, and red, and have juicy flesh that is perfect for slicing and eating fresh.
Beefsteak tomatoes are indeterminate plants, which means they will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season. If you want to enjoy fresh beefsteak tomatoes all summer long, start your plants early indoors and then transplant them outside after the last frost.
Beefsteak tomato plants need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Amend your garden soil with compost or other organic matter before planting to help ensure good drainage.
Water your plants deeply and regularly during the growing season, especially during dry spells. When it comes time to harvest your beefsteak tomatoes, wait until they are fully ripe on the vine for the best flavor.
Roma Tomatoes
Roma tomatoes are oblong and red. They’re smaller than beefsteak tomatoes, but they’re still relatively large. Roma tomatoes are often used in sauces and soups because of their dense, fleshy texture. They have a slightly acidic flavor that can be intensified when cooked.
The Roma tomato has fewer seeds than other varieties
Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes are a type of small, round tomato that is usually red or yellow. They are called grape tomatoes because they grow in clusters like grapes. Grape tomatoes are popular in salads and as a healthy snack.
Grape tomatoes are a type of small, round tomato that is usually red or yellow. They are called grape tomatoes because they grow in clusters like grapes. Grape tomatoes are popular in salads and as a healthy snack.
Grape tomatoes are easy to grow in your home garden. They require full sun and well-drained soil. Once the plants start to produce fruit, make sure to water them regularly. Harvest the grape tomatoes when they are firm and bright in color.
Green Tomatoes
Green tomatoes are unripe tomatoes. They are firm to the touch and have a slightly sour taste. While you can eat green tomatoes, they are often used in recipes that call for cooked tomatoes, such as fried green tomatoes or green tomato chutney.
Green tomatoes are also used as a decoration on salads and as a garnish on other dishes.
Yellow Tomatoes
In North America, the most common type of yellow tomato is the Yellow Pear. The Yellow Pear tomato is a small, oval-shaped fruit with smooth, yellow skin. They are delicately sweet with a slightly acidic flavor and are often used in salads or as a garnish.
Other popular varieties of yellow tomatoes include the Yellow Cherry and the Yellow Plum. Both of these varieties are smaller than the Yellow Pear and have a sweeter flavor. Yellow tomatoes are also available in heirloom varieties, such as the Golden Queen and the Orange Blossom.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes are an excellent choice for any gardener looking for flavor. These tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning they can be grown from seed and produce offspring that are true to the parent plant.
Heirloom varieties are more genetically diverse than hybrids, so they’re better able to adapt to changes in their environment. And because they’re open-pollinated, you can save the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes to plant next year.
Heirloom tomatoes come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, so you’re sure to find one perfect for your garden.
Hybrid Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a tomato that’s disease-resistant and easy to grow, then a hybrid variety is a good choice. Hybrid tomatoes are created by crossing two different types of tomatoes, resulting in a plant with the best traits of both parents.
Hybrid varieties are often more disease-resistant and productive than heirlooms, so they’re an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. And because they’re bred to be uniform in size and shape, hybrid tomatoes are often easier to grow in large quantities.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a good choice for gardeners who want to harvest their crops over time. These varieties produce fruit that ripens at different times, so you can pick it as it matures and enjoy fresh tomatoes all season long.
Cherry tomatoes usually require more space than determinate varieties, so they’re a good choice for extensive gardens. And because they produce fruit over an extended time, cherry tomatoes can be more challenging to care for than determinate varieties.
The Best Tomatoes for Your Garden
Since there are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes, choosing the right variety for your garden, raised beds or containers could be an overwhelming decision. I know I was there when I first started growing tomatoes in pots. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best tomatoes for your garden.
One important factor to consider when choosing tomatoes for your garden is the climate. Different varieties of tomatoes thrive in different climates. If you live in an area with a warm climate, you can grow almost any variety of tomatoes.
If you live in an area with a cooler climate, look for varieties that are designed to grow in cooler climates. Some of the most popular varieties that thrive in a cold climate include the Early Girl, the Roma, and the San Marzano.
The Early Girl tomato is a great option for those who want to get their tomatoes early in the season. They are one of the earliest maturity tomatoes, meaning they will be ready to harvest in about 60 days.
The Roma tomato as we discussed above is another good option for cold climates. They are a determinate variety, which means they do not need as much pruning and staking as indeterminate varieties.
The San Marzano is another good choice for cold climates. It is an heirloom variety that is known for its sweet flavor and low acidity.
Another factor to consider is the amount of space you have available. Some varieties of tomatoes can grow quite large and take up a lot of space. If you have limited space, look for smaller varieties or determinate varieties that don’t grow too large.
Bottom line
When it comes to tomatoes, there are many different options to choose from. Each type of tomato has its unique flavor and texture, so you can pick the one that’s best for your needs.
In this guide, we’ve introduced you to some of the most popular types of tomatoes and tips on selecting the perfect one for your next dish. So, whether you’re a beginner or an expert tomato grower, keep these pointers in mind when choosing your next batch of tomatoes!
