Choosing the perfect tomato
Nothing tastes better than fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes, making them a staple in even the smallest of home gardens. Success in growing tomatoes starts with choosing the right variety from the over 10,000 named variety options. What type of tomato fits your growing space and needs? How do you plan to enjoy your tomatoes? Pick your perfect tomato plants from our selection of Master Gardener favorites at our Master Gardener Plant Sale, May 15 and 16, 2026.
There are a few key factors to consider when selecting types of tomato plants. These factors include, but are not limited to, growth habit, size and fruit produced. While all tomatoes are delicious, there are many varieties that offer a wide range of flavors, sizes, shapes, acidity, colors and textures.
Growth habits are important to know to ensure the correct sizes of plants are selected for the appropriate garden space. Tomato varieties that are determinate, like some bush varieties, grow to a specific height, and produce fruit within a defined timeframe. These plants are perfect for gardeners seeking harvest at one time, particularly for food preservation. They are also preferred for growing in containers or limited space.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow and produce fruit over a longer period. These plants are preferred by gardeners looking for steady fruit production throughout the season and have ample space to support large plants. Signs of healthy tomato plants include those with strong stems and well-established root systems. Stems should be upright with dark green leaves. The plants should be free from pests and disease, well-watered and labeled.
To minimize disease issues in a tomato crop, selecting disease-resistant cultivars is a crucial step. Many tomato varieties have been bred to resist common diseases, which can significantly reduce the need for chemical treatments and improve overall plant health and yield. Common issues, including erticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, leaf spot, tobacco mosaic virus, root-knot nematodes and alternaria stem canker, can be addressed by buying resistant varieties.
The plant label may indicate specific resistance characteristics. Hybrids are created through manual pollination of two preferred parent plants to achieve preferred genetics. It is imperative to note that seeds saved from the fruit of hybrid plants will not produce the same hybrid characteristics in year two because hybridization does not result in stable genetics. In year two, the saved seeds revert to one of the ancestral varieties.
Heirloom tomato varieties are traditional varieties that have been grown for many generations, maintaining stable characteristics when propagated from seed. These varieties have been passed down from generation to generation, gardener to gardener, gaining popularity for their superior qualities. While heirlooms often have preferred qualities and taste, they can be more susceptible to disease. Seeds from heirloom varieties can be saved each year when isolated from other varieties. Favorite heirloom varieties of our Master Gardeners include Cherokee Purple, Homestead and Mamie Brown’s Pink.
Tomatoes come in a variety of sizes, measured in ounces. Small cherry or grape tomatoes can weigh less than an ounce, while the largest tomatoes can weigh 10-12 ounces. Fruit size affects the quantity of fruit produced and the number of days to become ripe.
Tomatoes come in a variety of colors, from yellow and pink to black. While many believe that yellow-colored tomatoes are lower in acidity, there is no direct link between fruit acidity and color. Yellow tomatoes have a higher sugar content, changing the flavor to perceive a sweeter taste. Try Lemon Boy, Mamie Brown’s Pink, or Black Cherry to add color to your tomato patch.
Paste tomatoes, such as Roma or San Marzano, are popular with those processing tomatoes into sauces. Paste tomatoes have a thick flesh, small seed cavities and less locular gel (the jellylike substance around the seeds) making them a meatier option.
To learn more about growing tomato plants visit Penn State Extension (https://extension.psu.edu/tomatoes-from-seedlings-to-fruit). If you have questions about tomatoes, call the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287 4761, Ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Polly Burkhard is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Butler County. Diane Dallos is an Extension Educator with Penn State Extension, serving as coordinator for the Master Gardener program in Butler County.
