Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes

Do you know the difference between Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes?

If you are just getting into tomato gardening, you may not know that there are a couple of different kinds of tomato plants that are available.

While there are thousands of individual varieties to choose from, all tomatoes can be classified as either determinate or indeterminate.

Difference Between Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes

What is the difference between these two classifications and which type should you choose for your garden?

Let’s take a quick look at the differences between them and then you can decide which is perfect for your garden or growing area.

One of the biggest difference between determinate and indeterminate tomato plants is how they bear their crops.

Determinate tomatoes yield their entire crop all at once, while indeterminate varieties parcel out their harvest over the course of an entire season.

If you are the kind of person who wants to do all of your harvesting and processing at one time, determinate varieties may be ideal.

However, if you want to enjoy fresh fruit all season long, you might want to select indeterminate plants.

Determinate tomatoes are also more compact. In fact, they are often referred to as “bush” tomatoes because of their growth habit.

Indeterminate tomatoes usually grow longer vines and need stronger stakes, cages or fencing to support their stems.

Determinate Tomatoes

In most cases, determinate tomatoes are the better choice if you have limited space or want to grow tomatoes in containers.

So, if you are short on space or want to harvest all of your tomatoes at once, you’ll want to look for word “determinate” (or the abbreviation “DET”) in plant catalogs or on the plant’s label before purchasing.

Then you want to find out when you can expect your tomato plants to produce fruit.

This should be listed as a number of days. Knowing this information will allow you to space out your determinate tomatoes so that you can receive early, middle and late season yields, unless you want to do a lot of work at one time.

If you are just starting out and not sure which determinate tomato variety to choose. 

This pack of Quality of Tomato seeds packaged by Seed Needs has a great mixture of determinate tomatoes for you to try.

This mixture of Tomato seeds comes with the following varieties: Black Sea Man (Organic), German Hohnson, Red Zebra,  Red Brandywine, Large Red Cherry, Tiny Tim, Pink Brandywine, Yellow Brandywine, Black Krim,  Yellow Pear, Black from Tula, Beefsteak & Purple Cherokee, Ace 55.

NOTE:

Unfortunately the seeds aren’t packaged separately, they come in one seed package.

You won’t know what you are growing but that is the fun of it. However, you could try sorting the seeds by color (darkness of seed casing)and size.

If when start producing and you find one particular tomato that you are fond of, then save the seeds and start them next year.

• “Black” varieties are very sweet and “ACE” are non mealy and really good producers.
• Also the smaller seeds are generally going to be your smaller tomatoes aka cherries and plums.
• The bigger seeds will be bigger tomatoes like “purple cherokee” or “black krim.”

This is a really good deal and loads of fun!

The Tastiest Tomatoes Are Often The Ugliest

This is another assortment of Non-GMO Seeds by Seed Needs. This Black tomato seed packet assortment comes with four individual seed packets of various Black Tomato seed varieties.

• Black Krim
• Black From Tula
• Cherokee Purple
• Black Sea Man

So if you don’t really care that your tomato isn’t the generic bright red variety, you are going to absolutely love the sweet flavor of these black tomatoes.

Gardening Tip For Growing Determinate Tomatoes For Tomato Sauce

Indeterminate Tomato Varieties

On the other hand, you have the prolific indeterminate tomato varieties. In many cases,  just one or two indeterminate plants will take care of your entire family’s needs.

When shopping look for the word “indeterminate,” with the abbreviations “IND” or “INDET.”

Indeterminate varieties are an ideal choice for fresh food lovers who want to enjoy bright and succulent tomatoes directly off the vine throughout the season.

If you’re looking for a tomato that you can eat all summer long then this is a good choice.

Beefsteak tomatoes are a favorite with many people they produce  and juicy, huge fruits with bright red skin, and flavorful flesh.

The tomatoes will be ready for picking in about 90 days after transplanting.
 
The beefsteak tomato plants can grow to a mature height of 36 to 48 inches tall and some sort of staking will be necessary to prevent the tomatoes from hitting the ground.

Beefsteak Tomatoes are indeterminate tomatoes and have small seed cavities and are especially delicious on burgers as well or eaten as a snacks.

It’s great for slicking and sandwiches since the tomato is large and very meaty and is great for eating just plain.

Learn The Difference Between Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes In This Video

Which Type Should You Choose, Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes?

When it comes to deciding between determinate and indeterminate tomato plants, there really is no correct answer.

Instead, you’ll want to consider your own preferences and circumstances to determine which is right for you.

If space allows, you may find the best solution is to incorporate both determinate and indeterminate varieties into your garden so you can experience the best of both worlds.

Need more Info on Indeterminate vs Determinate Tomatoes check these page out:

• Tomato Varieties – How are they Classified?
• Indeterminate Tomatoes vs Determinate Tomatoes – Do you Know the Difference?