The Easiest Tomatoes to Grow

Tomatoes are the most essential fruits to have planted in your garden. They are extremely versatile in their application as they are can be eaten as a healthy snack, are great for making sauces, and can be grilled, roasted, and canned.

There are about 15,000 known tomato cultivars in existence which could make choosing a species to grow rather difficult. In this article, I’ll be discussing several easy to grow varieties such as cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, and several others that will have you making sauces and other dishes you’ll love in no time and with little effort.

Cherry Tomatoes

This flavorful breed originated from South America and has become very popular worldwide. They grow into various sizes from being small-sized as a ping-pong ball to be as large as a golf ball. They are known for their highly sweet taste that is due to their high sugar content. They are also juicy and fleshy.

They are best grown in:

• Hot climates due to their high heat and humidity resistance.
• Areas with full exposure to sunlight for at least six to eight hours daily.

It is best to water them twice a week to yield maximum fruits. Also, they can yield harvest at least twice in four months.

Black Russian Tomatoes

This tasty breed originates from Russia. It is known for its distinct dark purple and black colors. It grows to medium size, with each tomato growing as large as 300g.

It is very meaty and less juicy. These characteristics make it suitable for slicing.

Before planting them, you should know the following:

• They prefer cooler temperatures and would yield more fruits if planted outdoors.
• If you live in a warmer region and would like to grow them, you must ensure that they have minimal exposure to sunlight to reduce the effects of heat stress on them.
• They can be left to their own devices without pruning but this will affect their growth size. Thus making them noticeably smaller in size.
• Because their long stems easily form new roots, feel free to sow them deep into the soil as seedlings to keep them firmly anchored.
• Do not water them too frequently as it could leave them susceptible to various fungal diseases.
• Don’t worry, they germinate in about a week or two. Then they fully mature in two to three months.

Ailsa Craig Tomatoes

This tomato variety is very common but its history remains a mystery. Some people think it was bred on a Scottish island named Ailsa Craig (where it gets its name from) by plant breeder, Mr. Alan Balch.

They are loved for their flavor although they grow rather small in size and could weigh somewhere between 65 grams and 90 grams per fruit. They are also early boomers which happen to be favorites among amateur growers. Before planting, here are a couple of things you should know about them:

• They are best sown in greenhouses during March and April.
• They are not suited to frosty climates. They prefer full exposure to sunlight.
• They have to be staked using cords so they don’t grow all over the place.
• The best soil for growing them should have equal parts of loamy soil and compost.
• They need to be regularly watered and pruned. As long as there are not in danger of frostbites, they’ll grow just fine.

Good to Read : How to Cure Blossom End Rot?

Plum Tomatoes

Plum tomatoes are one of the large tomato varieties. They are the go-to tomatoes for most sauces because of their great taste and meaty texture. The most common types include the Italian style plum tomato, San Marzano plum tomato, and the Roma plum tomatoes. Each type is easy to grow and is usually commercially produced for canning.

When planting, it is good to know that:

• They favor warmer climates because they love the heat.
• It is best to water the soil rather than the plant itself.
• Depending on the type, they ripen within two to three months.

Teardrop Tomatoes

This variety is not so common. Its unique pear shape and bright yellow color make it eyecatching in your garden. It is an heirloom tomato that came into existence within the past fifty years. They are very sweet and easy to grow. They are also typically used for making tomato preserves. They usually grow about 1.5 inches in length making them one of the larger tomato varieties.

To grow this fruit:

• They need to grow about four inches before they are planted outside.
• They require a lot of garden space because their vines grow to long lengths.
• They prefer slightly acidic soils for their growth.
• They prefer warm climates and favor regions with full access to sunlight.

Tomatoes are very easy to grow. Regular watering, adequate exposure to sunlight, the addition of fertilizer to the soil, and matching each variety to its preferred climate is all they usually require.