At one point in your gardening journey, you may have heard the words “Determinate” or “Indeterminate” tossed around when discussing different varieties of tomatoes. But did you know that the choice you make will have a drastic impact on your harvest?

The choice you make between determinate & indeterminate varieties of tomatoes can shape the entire layout of your garden. It is crucial to choose the best variety for your situation.

What Does Determinate Mean?

Determinate Tomatoes, in other words “Bush” types, are compact bushy plants that grow to a fixed height. This is typically 3-4 feet.

The important thing to note here is that Determinate tomatoes produce their tomatoes all at once (usually over the course of a few weeks).

These tomatoes are excellent for canning, sauces and overall bulk harvesting. Think Roma, Celebrity or Patio variety. They would also make for fantastic porch plants, as they do well in containers and typically don’t require a tall trellis.

Well, What About Indeterminate?

Indeterminate Tomatoes are a vining type of tomato. In other words, left alone, they will continue to grow almost indefinitely and can reach impressive heights if not managed carefully. Ensure you have proper trellising, staking or cages.

The important thing here is that indeterminate tomatoes produce their tomatoes continuously throughout the entire season until frost hits. Here in the desert, they can produce well into the winter given the right conditions.

These tomatoes are excellent for eating over time, and you might be overwhelmed by the nonstop flood of new tomatoes coming in from your garden. Think Cherry Tomatoes, Beefsteak or Brandywine for this one.

Which One is Best in our Zone?

There isn’t a so-called ‘best’ for our zone as there are benefits and drawbacks for both. However, there are several varieties that work extremely well here in the desert. Heatmaster and Solar Fire are some great options for a larger tomato. For smaller to cherry-sized, Sweet 100 or Sun Gold do extremely well. Again, if you decide to go indeterminate, ensure you have proper support for your plant!