With over 10,000 tomato varieties available to gardeners each spring, the search for the “best” tomato is a deeply personal one. Gardeners are notoriously passionate about their preferences, and a beloved cultivar is rarely abandoned easily. But what exactly defines a superior tomato, and how do gardeners navigate the vast selection available to them?
The quest for the perfect tomato isn’t novel. For decades, gardeners have sought out specific flavors and characteristics. Those who operated greenhouse businesses, like many in the past, often cultivated a wide range of tomato plants to cater to diverse tastes. Customers frequently requested specific varieties by name, such as the Sheyenne Tomato, a North Dakota State University introduction dating back to 1959, demonstrating a long-standing loyalty to particular cultivars.
Understanding Tomato Taste and Growing Conditions
For most gardeners, taste is the primary factor when evaluating a tomato. However, describing that taste can be challenging. Many seek what’s often referred to as an “old-fashioned tomato flavor” – a taste distinctly different from the often-bland flavor of commercially grown tomatoes. But tomato taste isn’t static. it’s heavily influenced by growing conditions. The same tomato variety can yield significantly different results depending on the weather and soil quality from year to year.
A cultivar that shines in a warm, sunny summer might produce a bland fruit during a cool, cloudy season. Tomatoes ripening in cooler temperatures at the end of the growing season often lack the robust flavor of those ripened during peak summer heat.
Decoding Tomato Terminology: Hybrid, Open-Pollinated, and Heirloom
Navigating seed catalogs and garden center tags can be confusing, with several key terms frequently encountered. A “hybrid” tomato is created by cross-pollinating two different parent tomato types to combine desirable characteristics, such as flavor, disease resistance, and crack resistance. Hybrids can also occur naturally through wind or insect pollination. Plant breeders intentionally develop hybrids to create improved varieties.
In contrast, “open-pollinated” tomatoes are not the result of intentional hybridization. Seeds saved from open-pollinated varieties will generally produce plants with the same characteristics as the parent. Seeds from hybrid tomatoes, however, typically result in varied offspring.
The term “heirloom tomato” refers to open-pollinated varieties that generally existed before the widespread development of hybrids around 1945, coinciding with World War II. Both heirloom and hybrid tomatoes have their advantages. Hybrid tomatoes often exhibit greater disease resistance, while some heirloom varieties are prized for their unique flavor profiles. Both types offer significant nutritional benefits.
Popular Tomato Varieties and Key Considerations
Gardeners have a wide array of choices when selecting tomato varieties. North Dakota State University (NDSU) recommends several cultivars, categorized by fruit size and intended use. For small-fruited tomatoes, they suggest Fargo Yellow Pear, Juliet, Red Torch, Sungold, SunSugar, and Supersweet 100. For fresh slicing or canning, their recommendations include Big Beef Plus, Bush Early Girl, Celebrity Plus, Early Girl, Goliath, Mountain Fresh Plus, Mountain Merit, Red Deuce, and Roadster. For paste-type tomatoes, they recommend Granadero, Roma VF, and Viva Italia. Heirloom varieties listed by NDSU include Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Manitoba, Stupice, and Wisconsin 55. The Sheyenne Tomato, a long-time favorite, remains readily available.
When choosing tomato plants, consider the “days to maturity” listed on the plant tag or description. This indicates the average number of days from planting until the first harvest. Early cultivars mature in approximately 45 to 60 days, main-season types in 65 to 78 days, and late-ripening types in 80 to 100 days. These are guidelines, as the actual time to maturity is affected by the growing season’s warmth. Many gardeners plant a mix of early, mid-season, and late varieties to extend the harvest.
Tomato cultivars are also classified by plant habit: determinate or indeterminate. Determinate types have a bush-like growth pattern, while indeterminate types are vining and benefit from staking or caging.
What’s Next for the Tomato Enthusiast?
The ongoing pursuit of the perfect tomato continues, with plant breeders constantly developing new varieties and gardeners sharing their experiences and preferences. As climate conditions evolve, selecting resilient and flavorful cultivars will develop into increasingly important. The annual search for the best tomato is a testament to the enduring appeal of this garden staple and the personal connection gardeners have with their harvests.
What are your favorite tomato varieties? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!
