The "Low-Down" on Tomatoes....
Posted 05-07-2007 at 07:00 AM by mycoupons
Jerry G. from Mass. writes:
Hi Annie,
Can you give me the low down on tomatoes. I would like to grow a couple in containers. I see in garden catalogs the term of determinate and indeterminate used for tomatoes. What does that mean? Also, what is an heirloom tomato?
Jerry G.
Super Question!
The use of determinate and indeterminate in describing a tomato plant is established based on their way of growing. An indeterminate tomato variety means it is a variety that "vines" Meaning, the plant continues to grow in height throughout the growing season. They will continue to produce fruit until frost or some other cause kills them. Because of how they continuously grow, indeterminate varieties require heaving staking or cages. I prefer this type of tomato plant myself in my garden. It is not uncommon for my plants to grow as high as 6 ft or more. However, this tomato plant type would not necessarily be the best choice for container gardening. Beefsteak, Big Boy, Early Girl and most heirlooms are examples of varieties that are labeled as indeterminate.
Determinate tomato plants (Bush plants) on the other hand, are plants that grow only to a certain size. They produce and ripen fruit within a certain time period. Once the plant has set it's fruit and starts to ripen... production starts to slow down in the plant. There will be little or no fruiting after this. They usually attain heights of no higher than about 4 ft to maybe 5 ft. You still need to stake this type of tomato, but not as heavily as an indeterminate variety. This plant is better suited for container gardening. Celebrity, Marglobe, Roma and Tiny Tims are excellent choices of determinate tomato plants.
Heirloom Tomatoes (non-hybrids) are varieties that the seeds have been passed down from generation to generation. Heirloom tomatoes have a flavor of their own. I like to describe it as an old time flavor. However, heirloom tomatoes as delicious as they may be, are not as disease resistant as the hybrid varieties. Hybrids being the common varieties found in most gardens. Most heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate but here a few that are determinates - Clear Pink, Marmande, Patio Orange, Prairie Fire and Yellow Canary.
If you plan to purchase online here are some great coupon savings:
ParkSeed.com - Use MAY15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase or SALE10 for $10 off $60 or More!
Burpee.com - Use FC53 at checkout for $5 off your Purchase of $30 or More!
Gurneys.com - $20 off your Purchase of $40 or more through this link.
HenryFields.com - $10 off your purchase of $30 or more through this link.
Keep on growing!
Annie~
Hi Annie,
Can you give me the low down on tomatoes. I would like to grow a couple in containers. I see in garden catalogs the term of determinate and indeterminate used for tomatoes. What does that mean? Also, what is an heirloom tomato?
Jerry G.
Super Question!
The use of determinate and indeterminate in describing a tomato plant is established based on their way of growing. An indeterminate tomato variety means it is a variety that "vines" Meaning, the plant continues to grow in height throughout the growing season. They will continue to produce fruit until frost or some other cause kills them. Because of how they continuously grow, indeterminate varieties require heaving staking or cages. I prefer this type of tomato plant myself in my garden. It is not uncommon for my plants to grow as high as 6 ft or more. However, this tomato plant type would not necessarily be the best choice for container gardening. Beefsteak, Big Boy, Early Girl and most heirlooms are examples of varieties that are labeled as indeterminate.
Determinate tomato plants (Bush plants) on the other hand, are plants that grow only to a certain size. They produce and ripen fruit within a certain time period. Once the plant has set it's fruit and starts to ripen... production starts to slow down in the plant. There will be little or no fruiting after this. They usually attain heights of no higher than about 4 ft to maybe 5 ft. You still need to stake this type of tomato, but not as heavily as an indeterminate variety. This plant is better suited for container gardening. Celebrity, Marglobe, Roma and Tiny Tims are excellent choices of determinate tomato plants.
Heirloom Tomatoes (non-hybrids) are varieties that the seeds have been passed down from generation to generation. Heirloom tomatoes have a flavor of their own. I like to describe it as an old time flavor. However, heirloom tomatoes as delicious as they may be, are not as disease resistant as the hybrid varieties. Hybrids being the common varieties found in most gardens. Most heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate but here a few that are determinates - Clear Pink, Marmande, Patio Orange, Prairie Fire and Yellow Canary.
If you plan to purchase online here are some great coupon savings:
ParkSeed.com - Use MAY15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase or SALE10 for $10 off $60 or More!
Burpee.com - Use FC53 at checkout for $5 off your Purchase of $30 or More!
Gurneys.com - $20 off your Purchase of $40 or more through this link.
HenryFields.com - $10 off your purchase of $30 or more through this link.
Keep on growing!
Annie~
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