This year one of the tomato varieties I decided to grow was the ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’ tomato. Overall it proved to be a tasty and easy to grow tomato. The ‘Tasmanian Chocolate’ tomato is a determinate variety that is well suited for growing in pots. It grows to about 3 feet tall, at least the plant I grew did in my trial this year. I did three short videos that follow the various stages of the plant through the summer. Check them out below!
Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato Part 1
Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato Part 2
Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato Part 3
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What are Determinate Tomatoes and Indeterminate Tomatoes?
Determinate Tomatoes:
also known as Bush Tomatoes. Grow to about 3-4 feet in height and set fruit all at one time after the top flower bud forms fruit. Determinate tomatoes do not always require staking but precautionary staking may be useful as the weight of the fruit can often cause the plant to lean off balance.
Indeterminate Tomatoes:
Continue to grow until killed frost or disease. They will form flowers and set fruit continuously throughout the season. Will need staking, trellising, or cages as well as pruning to maintain a manageable height.
Which is better Determinate or Indeterminate tomatoes?
That’s all going to depend on the purpose for your tomatoes. If you enjoy canning tomatoes you may want to have a whole bunch of tomatoes form and ripen at the same time. In that case you may be best served by planting determinate tomatoes and replanting something afterwards. If you like to have tomatoes over the whole growing season then indeterminate is what you want. I recommend using a mix of both types of tomatoes so you can have tomatoes over the entire growing season and end up with a few bumper crops in the summer for canning. After all you can NEVER have enough tomatoes in the garden!
Other Tomato Articles from Growing The Home Garden
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