February is prime time for starting vegetable seeds indoors in preparation of spring planting. Among the tons of veggies started this winter, probably the majority of those will be tomato seeds. For those that are wondering which tomato plant characteristic is right for them, here are some thoughts on the bush and vining types.
Determinate or indeterminate?
Tomato plants generally fall into two categories: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate (bush) tomato plants are bred to stop growing usually somewhere around 3′-4′ feet tall. When flowers blossom at the tips of the branches, the plant has reached its full height. The fruit of a determinate tomato plant ripens all at once. Because of this trait, this type of tomato plant is useful for those who want to grow tomatoes for canning. Since many determinate plants stay on the short side, they can also be ideal for the small-space gardener.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow for what seems like indefinitely. Depending on the variety, they can grow from 6′-20′ tall. This type continues to produce tomatoes all growing season until a hard frost hits and stops them in their tracks. These plants are particularly desirable if you’d like a continuous harvest for slicing or salad tomatoes. Although, indeterminate tomatoes can be used for canning just like the determinates, you may need a few more indeterminate plants so that you have plenty to can at any one time.
Stakes or tomato cages?
Cages and stakies are the easiest and fastest type of structures for vertical veggies such as tomatoes or peppers. While these plants need something to “climb”, they’re not true vines and should have their branches supported by being tied periodically to keep them upright.
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Caging is the simplest way to support tomatoes and is the perfect solution for determinate varieties. Tomato cages can work well for the indeterminate, too, but staking seems to offer the best support for the vining types. Staking tomato plants is an excellent way to keep the plants upright and the fruit off of the ground. Scrap wood, bamboo, or metal can be used as stakes.
If you use the staking method, you’ll have to have some type of tying material to attach the plants to the stake at regular intervals while they’re growing. Ties can be made of torn fabric, twist-ties, or plastic ties. Also, pruning indeterminate tomato plants is the best way to make the most of staked plants.
I tend to grow indeterminate tomatoes far more than their determinate counterparts. However, this is more due to the fact that I also predominately grow the heirloom varieties and most heirlooms are indeterminate plants.
FAQs
Determinate tomatoes are beloved by people who have limited space and by canners who want to harvest just once. Indeterminate tomatoes will grow until frost or pure exhaustion kills them, and they produce fruit over a long season.
Should you grow determinate or indeterminate tomatoes? ›
Most gardeners grow both types, determinate for large harvests for canning and freezing and indeterminate to get fruit for salads and sandwiches throughout the growing season. A few varieties are called semi-determinate or compact indeterminate because they are somewhere in between. For best results, give them support.
Which tomatoes do you prune determinate or indeterminate? ›
Pruning tomato plants is an optional technique that some gardeners use to keep plants tidy, manipulate fruit size, and even speed ripening. There is one big catch: You should only prune indeterminate varieties, which produce new leaves and flowers continuously through the growing season.
What happens if you don't prune indeterminate tomatoes? ›
If you leave the suckers on the plant, those suckers will turn into more vines. More vines mean more flower clusters and, eventually, more fruit. Each vine needs water and nutrients from the plant, so your plant won't have enough energy to spend on making each fruit really big.
How many times will determinate tomatoes produce? ›
Determinate tomatoes: These tomatoes quickly mature and then produce a single harvest.
Why would you want determinate tomatoes? ›
The fruit of a determinate tomato plant ripens all at once. Because of this trait, this type of tomato plant is useful for those who want to grow tomatoes for canning. Since many determinate plants stay on the short side, they can also be ideal for the small-space gardener.
Should determinate tomatoes be planted deep? ›
Most vegetables should be planted in a hole about the size of the pots they come in. But not tomatoes. They're big, heavy feeders, so plan on burying them deeper into the soil, so deep that part of the pruned stem — see below — is underground.
What happens if you prune determinate tomatoes? ›
As a general rule, I don't prune determinate tomato plants much at all. As they have a limited height, I find that too much pruning stunts their growth. With determinate-type tomatoes, I have found that reducing the amount of leaders (side branches) significantly reduces the amount of fruit.
What happens if you top an indeterminate tomato plant? ›
As far as topping indeterminate tomatoes go, top them anytime they look like they need some taming. They'll just keep on growing back! If you're growing large, heritage varieties, the 1-month rule should help them ripen in time.
Should I top determinate tomatoes? ›
I do it to keep the plant from growing above its eight-foot support wire beyond my reach! Topping also allows the plant to send it its energy into the leaves and ripening fruit below, rather than making new leaves and new fruit late in the season.
Indeterminate varieties of tomato respond very well to pinching. These are cordon or vine tomatoes, such as 'Gardener's Delight', 'Sungold', 'Beefsteak' and 'Sweet Million'. Start pinching out your tomatoes once there are at least 6 sets of true leaves.
Should I trim bottom leaves off tomato plants? ›
As a tomato plant matures, its lower leaves begin to yellow. Pinch or prune yellowed leaves to prevent disease, improve the tomato plant's appearance, and help the plant keep its energy focused on fruit production. Don't over prune in hot climates.
Are beefsteak tomatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Beefsteak tomatoes tend to be indeterminate varieties, though some are semi-determinate, and need a sturdy support put in place in order to support their tall growth and heavy fruits. It is best to plant beefsteak tomatoes deep and to pinch out any side shoots from the main stem regularly.
What tomato plants produce all summer? ›
These are great options if you want to do any preserving or large batch recipes. Indeterminate tomatoes will produce fruit all season long. These are perfect if you're looking for a plant that will supply your dinner table throughout the summer. Typically, one or two plants will be more than enough for a household.
Can you plant determinate and indeterminate tomatoes together? ›
Secondly, both determinate and indeterminate tomatoes have amazing flavors and can be enjoyed fresh, canned, preserved, and dried. Lastly, they can be grown together, and both are relatively easy to grow. What does matter is WHERE you want to grow them and WHEN you want to enjoy the harvest.
Will determinate tomatoes produce again? ›
It will not produce anymore. Determinate tomatoes have a shorter season, usually around one month, but can produce a bountiful harvest in that time.
Do determinate tomatoes grow faster than indeterminate tomatoes? ›
The terms indeterminate and determinate relate to a tomato plant's growth habit. Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing until they die, producing new flowers and fruits along the way. Determinate tomatoes grow until they reach their maximum height and typically produce all their fruit within a few weeks.
Should I pinch indeterminate tomatoes? ›
The caveat is: Only indeterminate tomato plants benefit from pinching suckers. Determinate tomato plants are naturally more compact even without pinching; fruit sets after branches are fully grown, and no new fruit develops after pruning. Therefore, nothing is gained by losing the tomato suckers on determinate plants.
