While tomato season can't last forever, it lasts for months when you grow indeterminate tomatoes. Indeterminate tomato vines grow and produce fruit all season until the first fall frost. Gurney's offers a wide variety of indeterminate tomato seeds and tomato plants for sale.
Indeterminate Tomato Seeds and Plants from Gurney's
Each year, Gurney's grows dozens of tomato seed varieties in its trial gardens and selects the best for garden performance, disease resistant, yields and flavor. The indeterminate tomatoes for sale represent the best for home gardeners.
Popular Indeterminate Tomato Varieties
Some of the most popular tomato varieties, including Beefsteak, San Marzano and Gurney's Girl Best Hybrid Tomato are indeterminate. Indeterminate tomatoes include many cherry tomato, heirloom tomato, hybrid tomato, beefsteak tomato and canning tomato varieties.
Indeterminate Cherry Tomatoes
Loaded with flavor and sweetness--and the perfect size for snacking and salads, indeterminate grape and cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes are very popular. Gardeners appreciate harvesting these small snacking tomatoes for months. Some favorite varieties include Jelly Beans and Sungold.
Heirloom Indeterminate Tomatoes
Heirloom tomato varieties have been passed down from generation to generation. These open-pollinated tomatoes are treasured for their flavor. A few of the most popular heirloom varieties include Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine. Heirloom indeterminate tomatoes can include cherry, paste, slicers and beefsteaks tomatoes.
Indeterminate Hybrid Tomatoes
Hybrid tomatoes are a controlled cross of two different tomato varieties. They're often bred to have improved disease resistance, uniform fruits and higher yields. Some popular indeterminate hybrids are Big Beef Hybrid and Better Boy Hybrid.
Choosing the Right Indeterminate Tomatoes
When selecting indeterminate tomatoes to grow, first consider your space. Indeterminate vines can grow 8 ft. tall. Next consider how you want to use your tomatoes. Generally tomatoes fall into categories such as cherry or grape, slicers, canners or paste, and beefsteak. If tomato plant diseases are common in your area, tomato varieties with good disease resistance are a good choice. Many gardeners also consider the fruit's flavor and color when choosing varieties.
Getting Started With Indeterminate Tomato Seeds
Tomato plants grow best in well-drained soil and in full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily). They don't like to be overcrowded. Give them enough space and good air circulation. Here are some more tips for growing indeterminate tomatoes.
When to Plant Indeterminate Tomato Seeds
Tomato seeds are usually started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date for your area.
How to Plant Indeterminate Tomato Seeds
Tomato seeds should be planted 1/4 inch deep. Gurney's seed starting guide gives more details on starting seeds indoors. Tomato plants should be transplanted into the garden after all danger of spring frost has passed. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and 3-5 ft. between rows. Insert the stake or tomato cage into the ground at the time of planting. Because of their size, indeterminate tomato plants require staking. Most indeterminate tomatoes grow in zones 3-9. You can find your grow zone here.
How to Prune Indeterminate Tomatoes
Pruning indeterminate tomatoes allows for more airflow and improves fruit production. Prune the plants when the first flowers open. Either pinch off suckers with your fingers or use pruners. Remove the suckers from the ground level up to the first flower cluster.
How Long Does it Take Indeterminate Tomatoes to Grow?
While determinate tomatoes ripen over a 3-4 week period, indeterminate tomato plants will keep growing and producing tomatoes until the first fall frost. The days to maturity varies depending on the variety.
