Are you looking to grow your own tomatoes this season? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Here we’ll discuss 20 of the best tomatoes to grow. From the classic beefsteak tomato to the sweet and juicy cherry tomato, we’ll cover the best varieties that are sure to bring flavor and color to your garden. We’ll also discuss the best growing conditions for each variety so you can get the most out of your tomato harvest.
So, let’s get started and explore 20 of the best tomatoes to grow this season.
20 of the best tomatoes to grow
Growing tomatoes is one of the most rewarding tasks a gardener can undertake and with a wide variety of types, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to deciding which ones to grow. From beefsteak varieties to cheery cherry varieties, here are 20 of the best tomatoes to grow in the UK. Marmande is a fast-maturing beefsteak variety that produces dark pink fruits within about 75 days.
The flesh of these tomatoes is sweet, and their high sugar content makes them ideal for both sauces and salads. These tomatoes have a mild flavour.
Black Krim is an heirloom tomato with deep purplish-black fruits. They have a sweet, smoky, and salty flavour and are prized for their versatility in cooking. These fruits take 85 days to fully ripen and they need a relatively cool climate to thrive.
San Marzano is a plum tomato that is intensely sweet and has won multiple awards for its rich tomato flavour. This variety is ideal for making pasta sauces, salsa, and other dishes that benefit from a robust tomato flavour.
This variety takes 90 days to mature and is best grown in warmer climates. Alicante is a traditional salad tomato that produces large, bright Red fruits that are mild and sweet.
This variety is vigorous and fast-growing, maturing in just 70 days. It’s perfect for container gardening, as it is resistant to many common fungal diseases. Moneymaker is a classic British beefsteak variety that has been around for decades.
This tomato produces abundant crops of sweet and juicy fruits that are perfect for salads and sandwiches. It matures quickly, taking just 65 days to ripen. Gold Medal is a yellow variety of tomato that stands out in salads and other dishes. This tomato has a mild flavour and a creamy texture. It is resistant to many common ailments, so it can be grown in most climates. This variety matures in 80 days. Lemon Boy produces bright lemon-yellow fruits with a mild flavour. This variety is extremely productive, with each plant producing hundreds of small fruits. It’s perfect for potting on a windowsill, as it matures in just 60 days. Park’s Whopper is a large beefsteak tomato that produces huge, juicy fruits that are perfect for slicing. This variety takes up to 80 days to mature and is best grown in sunny climates. The Giant Belgium is an heirloom variety that produces leaves with ornamental white flowers. This variety is well-loved for its sweet and tart flavour, and takes 90 days to mature. Sungold is a plum variety that is popular for its small, bright-orange fruits. This tomato has an intense sweetness and a citrus-like flavour. It matures within 65 days and is perfect for potting and growing indoors. Amish Paste is an heirloom variety with an Italian influence. This paste tomato produces large, firm fruits that are easy to can or to dry. It matures in approximately 80 days but is worth the wait – due to its robust flavour. Cherokee Purple is an heirloom variety that has a sweet, smoky flavour. This tomato has a purple skin and produces heavily, with each plant capable of producing hundreds of fruits. The fruit takes 80 days to mature and is best grown in warmer climates. Big Zac is a beefsteak variety that produces fruits that can weigh up to two pounds. These tomatoes have a sweet flavour with a hint of acidity, and take up to 85 days to ripen. Bonnie Blue is a plum variety that produces sweet and juicy fruits that are low in acidity. This variety takes 70 days to mature and is resistant to many common ailments. Pink Brandywine is an heirloom variety that produces huge, deep-pink fruits with a sweet and smoky flavour. This tomato takes up to 85 days to ripen and is ideal for growing in cooler climates. Roma is a classic paste tomato that produces elongated, red fruits with a rich flavour that is perfect for sauces and canning. This variety matures in 65 days and is resistant to many diseases. Cheery Cherry is a small variety that produces abundant crops of bright, sweet fruits. These tomatoes are perfect for popping in your mouth as a snack and take only 55 days to fully ripen. Black Cherry is a cherry tomato with a sweet and smoky flavour. These tomatoes have a dark purple-black skin, and they take 60 days to ripen. Yugoslavian is an heirloom variety that produces large, yellow tomatoes with a mild, sweet flavour. These tomatoes are resistant to many common ailments and take 70 days to mature. Livingston’s Glory is a beefsteak variety that produces
Tips for growing tomatoes
Does the thought of growing your own tomatoes excite you? If so, you’re in luck—there’s an enormous variety of tomatoes out there to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a salad tomato, a sauce tomato, or the classic burger topper, there’s a tomato variety to fit your garden. But how do you narrow down your choices? Well, that’s where we come in.
In this article, we’ll present you with 20 of the best tomatoes to grow in UK gardens. We have chosen tomatoes based on their performance in our trials and customer feedback – so you can be sure of delicious, juicy tomatoes every time. First we recommend Alexander, a sweet and juicy tomato for salads and sandwiches.
Another excellent choice is Juliet, a delightful cherry tomato with a sweet, rich flavor. For something more traditional, go for the classic beefsteak tomato – full of flavor and perfect for topping burgers.
If you’re looking for a smaller tomato, you should consider Roma, a long, narrow variety that is great for sauces and salsas. It’s not just classic varieties, of course. You can also try something a bit different like ‘Sweet 100’, an intensely sweet hybrid cherry tomato.
For a black tomato, you could go with ‘Black Krim’, a delicious variety rather like a beefsteak tomato. There is also ‘Yellow Pear’, a pear-shaped yellow cherry tomato and ‘Yellow Stuffer’, a mid-sized tomato with a sweet, creamy texture.
If you fancy something a bit special, you could grow an heirloom variety such as ‘Brandywine’, a large, juicy and excellent-flavored tomato that can be enjoyed fresh or used in sauces and salsas. Or why not try ‘Lemon Boy’, a bright yellow tomato with an intensely sweet flavor? For small and sweet tomatoes, ‘Sungold’ is a great choice. It is incredibly sweet and makes an excellent salad tomato, or can be added to sandwiches for a burst of flavor. ‘Garden Peach’ is another unique variety – it has a yellow-orange color and a fragrant, sweet flavor – perfect for slicing or salads. So there you have it – 20 of the best tomatoes to grow in UK gardens. Whether you’re looking for cherry tomatoes or beefsteaks, heirloom varieties or traditional types, you’re sure to find something for your garden. Get growing and you could be enjoying delicious tomatoes in no time!
Common problems when growing tomatoes
As a UK garden expert, I have compiled a list of the 20 best tomatoes to grow. Tomato-growing has been a staple in UK gardens for centuries and is still consistently popular today.
But growing tomatoes is not without its challenges. There are a variety of common problems which can arise when attempting to grow healthy and productive tomatoes in your own garden, and it is important to be aware of these to ensure you are successful. The most common problem stemming from tomato growth is incorrect fertilisation.
Applying too much fertilizer will produce lush, green plants with few fruits, whereas too little fertilizer will yield a crop that is flavourless and of poor quality. It is essential to bear in mind your tomato variety and the soil type when choosing the correct manure or compost. Among the other issues that gardeners regularly encounter when growing tomatoes is blossom-end rot.
This is a disease which disproportionately affects tomatoes and involves dark, spongy, leathery patches at the blossom end of the fruit. It is caused by calcium deficiency in the plant, a result of insufficient water or fluctuating soil moisture.
To avoid blossom-end rot, it is necessary to maintain a consistently moist soil throughout the tomato-growing season, using mulch or irrigation to help keep the tomato plants hydrated. Finally, the notorious tomato hornworm – moth larvae – often makes its presence known in tomato patches.
You will recognise these caterpillars as they are large in size, as well as being green in colour with white stripes on their bodies and have a spike at the end of them which resembles a horn. They are reasonably easy to control with regular monitoring in the garden and hand picking if necessary. Neem oil is also effective against hornworms.
These challenges may seem daunting but with a bit of attention, the risk of problems occurring can be dramatically reduced. Armed with this knowledge, making the most of your own tomato patch should be a breeze. With the right variety of tomato for your climate and soil, plus proper water and fertilizer management, you can expect to harvest plentiful, delicious tomatoes.
Final Touch
Growing tomatoes can be a rewarding experience. From beefsteak to cherry tomatoes, there are many varieties to choose from.
Here are 20 of the best tomatoes to grow, including Big Beef, Brandywine, Early Girl, and more. Whether you’re growing for flavor or for size, these tomatoes are sure to please. With the right care and attention, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest.
FAQ
What are the best varieties of tomatoes to grow?
The best varieties of tomatoes to grow depend on the climate and growing conditions, but some popular varieties include Beefsteak, Brandywine, Early Girl, Roma, and Cherry tomatoes.
What are the benefits of growing tomatoes?
The benefits of growing tomatoes include access to fresh, nutritious produce, the ability to control the quality of the tomatoes, and the satisfaction of growing your own food. Additionally, tomatoes are relatively easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of climates.
What are the best growing conditions for tomatoes?
The best growing conditions for tomatoes are full sun, well-draining soil, and consistent watering. Tomatoes also benefit from regular fertilization and pruning.
What are the most common pests and diseases that affect tomatoes?
The most common pests and diseases that affect tomatoes are tomato hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and blight.
How can I maximize the yield of my tomato plants?
To maximize the yield of tomato plants, it is important to ensure that the plants are planted in nutrient-rich soil and receive adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer. Additionally, pruning the plants and removing any diseased or damaged leaves can help to promote healthy growth and increase yields.
What are the best tips for growing tomatoes?
1. Plant in full sun. 2. Provide adequate water. 3. Use quality soil and fertilizer. 4. Prune plants to promote air circulation. 5. Plant in raised beds or containers. 6. Support plants with stakes or cages. 7. Rotate crops to avoid disease. 8. Harvest tomatoes when ripe.
