May 14, 2024
What tomato varieties should I grow?
Homegrown tomatoes are among the best there are, aren't they?! But which varieties should I choose to grow? Here's our full guide to how you should think.
Tip 1 - sort well by location.
Tomato plants can vary greatly in size, so it is important to choose a variety that is suitable for the space you have available. Think about it this way:
Indoors/balcony : choose a dwarf bush/pot tomato or hanging tomato. These varieties are well suited to growing in pots and have a lower or hanging growth habit that doesn't require as much space.
Larger areas (outdoors in a sheltered & sunny location or greenhouse): if you have access to larger areas, you can also choose taller varieties of e.g. cherry , plum or beefsteak tomatoes that need support. These varieties are grown directly in a bed or larger pot (min. 10 liters) and they have a taller growth habit and therefore need to be tied up.
Tip 2 – don’t grow more plants than you have room for
Before you start growing, it's wise to think about how much space you have and how many seeds you should grow. Look at the back of the seed bag to see the plant and row spacing - this will give you a sense of how much space the tomato requires. Since seeds rarely have 100% germination, you should always plant a few extra seeds to be on the safe side. And if there are too many (which is almost always the case), you can give seedlings away to neighbors and friends.
Tip 3 – choose varieties that are both tasty & beautiful
Food is most enjoyable when multiple senses are stimulated. If you are going to grow several different tomato varieties, we recommend choosing varieties in different colors, shapes, flavors and with different uses. Some tomatoes are perfect in a salad, others are better for cooking. Below are some of our favorites:
A rich-yielding variety that produces small, red, sweet tomatoes that decorate the plant like pearls.
Where : Perfect for growing indoors or on a balcony
Uses: Super delicious to eat straight from the plant, slice on a sandwich or chop into a salad.
Tip 1 - sort well by location.
Tomato plants can vary greatly in size, so it is important to choose a variety that is suitable for the space you have available. Think about it this way:
Indoors/balcony : choose a dwarf bush/pot tomato or hanging tomato. These varieties are well suited to growing in pots and have a lower or hanging growth habit that doesn't require as much space.
Larger areas (outdoors in a sheltered & sunny location or greenhouse): if you have access to larger areas, you can also choose taller varieties of e.g. cherry , plum or beefsteak tomatoes that need support. These varieties are grown directly in a bed or larger pot (min. 10 liters) and they have a taller growth habit and therefore need to be tied up.
Tip 2 – don’t grow more plants than you have room for
Before you start growing, it's wise to think about how much space you have and how many seeds you should grow. Look at the back of the seed bag to see the plant and row spacing - this will give you a sense of how much space the tomato requires. Since seeds rarely have 100% germination, you should always plant a few extra seeds to be on the safe side. And if there are too many (which is almost always the case), you can give seedlings away to neighbors and friends.
Tip 3 – choose varieties that are both tasty & beautiful
Food is most enjoyable when multiple senses are stimulated. If you are going to grow several different tomato varieties, we recommend choosing varieties in different colors, shapes, flavors and with different uses. Some tomatoes are perfect in a salad, others are better for cooking. Below are some of our favorites:
A rich-yielding variety that produces small, red, sweet tomatoes that decorate the plant like pearls.Where : Perfect for growing indoors or on a balcony
Uses: Super delicious to eat straight from the plant, slice on a sandwich or chop into a salad.
Exciting, rich-yielding variety with its yellow color and pear-like shape.
Where : Suitable for growing in a larger pot (min. 10 liters) or outdoors in a protected location or greenhouse. Can be tied up.
Uses : Super delicious to eat straight from the plant, slice on a sandwich or chop into a salad.
A classic tomato with large oval fruits with juicy flesh.
Where : Suitable for growing in a larger pot (min. 10 liters) or outdoors in a protected location or greenhouse. Can be tied up.
Areas of use : Suitable for all Italian cooking and is great for cooking tomato sauce!
Midnight black fruits with red flesh that are both decorative, tasty and juicy.
Mini plum tomato with skin that changes to red, orange and pink. Very tasty variety with a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness.
Where : Suitable for growing in a larger pot (min. 10 liters) or outdoors in a protected location or greenhouse. Can be tied up.
Uses : Perfect for sandwiches, in a salad or as a decoration for food. Has a long shelf life and can be left to ripen indoors when harvested late.
Zebra-striped green tomato with a fresh and crisp taste.
Where : Suitable for growing in a larger pot (min. 10 liters) or outdoors in a protected location or greenhouse. Can be tied up.
Uses : Perfect on sandwiches, in a salad or as a decoration for food. Very good for making fried green tomatoes.