Determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes...What's the difference? Which should you grow?
In short:
Determinate tomato plants are typically smaller; they produce a high yield of ripe tomatoes at relatively the same time early in the season and then drastically slow or stop production. This variety of tomato is often considered to be "canning tomatoes" or tomatoes used in commercial production because of their high yield; they may be described as "bush" or "patio" tomato plants which make them suitable for growing in containers. This variety typically does not require pruning because the maximum growth potential has already been predetermined. Examples of determinate tomato varieties include: Early Wonder, Rutgers, Roma.
Indeterminate tomato plants will continue to grow and produce until the season is over. This variety will have tomatoes at various stages of ripeness on one plant allowing for small, multiple harvests throughout the entire season. Indeterminate tomato plants are often referred to as a "vining" tomato; this variety will require support to hold it up off the ground as the vines can grow in excess of 10 feet if allowed and is, therefore, not suggested to be grown in a container. Indeterminate varieties should be pruned for best production.
Examples of indeterminate tomato varieties include: Amish Paste, Arkansas Traveller, Beefsteak, Mortgage Lifter.
Merriam-Webster's definition of determinate and indeterminate:
If you're still wondering which variety you should grow, determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes, determine how many ripe tomatoes you want at any given time. If you're planning on canning or processing tomatoes into juice, paste, sauce, salsa, etc...or perhaps selling them at a farmer's market or giving them to friends and family, you may want determinate tomatoes because of their high yield. If you want ripe tomatoes up until the first frost, you may want to grow indeterminate tomatoes because they will continue to steadily produce until the plant dies. Personally, I will be growing both in the Garden by the Tracks :-)
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