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If you want to grow tomatoes that just keep producing all season, indeterminate varieties might be just what you’re looking for. Unlike determinate tomatoes, which bear fruit all at once, indeterminate plants grow and produce continuously until frost. This means you’ll have fresh tomatoes for weeks (or even months) instead of facing one larger harvest all at once.
Growing indeterminate tomatoes isn’t as tricky or difficult as it might seem. With proper support, consistent care, and a little room to sprawl, they’ll reward you with the delicious, juicy fruits that every gardener dreams of. If you’re curious about companion planting options for your tomato garden, check out this guide to great companion plants for spinach—spinach and tomatoes can make fantastic allies in the garden.
Let me show you how to grow indeterminate tomatoes the simple way!
Photo by Anna Tarazevich
What Are Indeterminate Tomatoes?
Have you ever wondered how some tomato plants seem to keep on growing while others seem to stop at a certain height, you’re not alone. Indeterminate tomatoes are the marathon runners of the tomato world!
Unlike their shorter, more focused cousins—determinate tomatoes—indeterminate varieties keep growing, setting fruit, and thriving until a cold snap decides the season is over. Here are some characteristics that make these plants unique and why they’re a favorite for gardeners who want an extended harvest.
Growth Patterns of Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes grow like they have somewhere to be and nothing's stopping them. They’re naturally vining plants, which means they don’t stop growing once they hit a certain height. Instead, they’ll climb, vine, and sprawl their way across your garden or up your trellis.
One year I didn't get a Supersweet 100 cherry tomato plant caged and after some failed attempts at trying to stake up the vines, I gave up and let it do it's thing. That single indeterminate tomato plant ended up taking up about an 8 x 10 foot area. It was giant!
This growth habit sets them apart from determinate tomatoes, which grow to a set height, blossom, and set their tomatoes all at once.
Indeterminate tomatoes also need a robust support system—think tall stakes, cages, cattle panel, or even an arbor if you’re feeling fancy. Left unchecked, they can grow up to 8-10 feet tall! So, a little forethought on how and where you’ll give them room to roam goes a long way.
Popular Varieties of Indeterminate Tomatoes
Choosing the right variety can feel like picking your favorite child—but thankfully, there’s a tomato for every taste and growing condition. There are literally hundreds of different varieties you could choose from, but some of my favorites are:
- Brandywine: A classic heirloom with a rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor. Great if you’ve got plenty of sun and enjoy slicing up gorgeous, meaty tomatoes for sandwiches!
- Cherokee Purple: This variety is as pretty as it is delicious. Its purple skin comes with a deep, smoky sweetness that’s perfect for salads or fresh eating.
- Sun Gold: If you’re looking for a sweet, cherry-sized snack, these golden-yellow globes of sweet sunshine are irresistible. They thrive in most climates and are real crowd-pleasers. (Pro tip: You’ll probably eat most of these off the vine before they even make it indoors. No judgment! They seriously taste like summer.)
When selecting varieties, think about your climate and what you’re growing them for. Are you in a hot, dry area? Opt for heat-tolerant varieties like Sun Gold or Cherokee Purple. Dreaming of heirloom flavors? Go for Brandywine varieties that might need a little extra pampering but deliver on taste.
Curious to learn more about the key differences between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes? The folks over at Kellogg Garden offer a fantastic comparison that might help you decide which type makes sense for your garden setup.
Preparing to Grow Indeterminate Tomatoes
Growing indeterminate tomatoes might feel daunting at first, but trust me, it doesn’t have to be. These plants are forgiving and thrive when given the right conditions. Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can feel confident about starting your tomato-growing journey.
Soil Requirements
The foundation of healthy tomatoes lies in the soil. Indeterminate tomatoes thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. Not sure about your soil’s pH level? You can grab a cheap soil test kit from any garden store or online. However, it's probably not necessary. Honestly, I've never tested the pH of my soil, so I really wouldn't worry too much about it unless you have problems or if you're just a science nerd like me and want to experiment, lol.
Here’s some ways you can prep the soil in your garden:
- Add compost: This is like giving your plants a buffet. Compost improves soil structure and boosts the organic matter your tomatoes love.
- Incorporate aged manure: If you have access to manure that’s been composted for several months, sprinkle some in for an extra nutrient kick. Avoid fresh manure as it can burn your plants, unless you have access to rabbit manure. That you can put right in your garden without worries.
- Consider natural additives: If soil pH is too low (acidic), mix in some lime. On the flip side, if it’s too high (alkaline), sulfur will help create balance.
Always make sure the soil is loose and airy. Compact or heavy soil is not your tomato's best friend—it’s like trying to grow in concrete. If you’re stuck with clay-heavy ground, try amending it generously with sand, peat moss, or other organic matter. Your tomatoes will thank you, I promise!
Light and Temperature Conditions
Tomatoes are sun lovers and they need at least 8 hours of full sun daily to thrive. Plant them in a spot where they’ll soak up as much natural light as possible. That 8 hours can be broken up if needed, but any less than that and you'll start having trouble with your plants.
When it comes to temperature, tomatoes are a bit picky. They prefer daytime temps between 70°F to 85°F and nighttime temps above 55°F. Cold snaps? Not their thing. If frost threatens, keep your plants warm with row covers or temporary greenhouses.
Here are a few tips for ensuring optimal light and temperature conditions:
- Space the plants out: This ensures that all parts of your tomato plant get enough sunlight and airflow (bonus: it also reduces disease risks).
- Pick a south-facing location: If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, choose a garden bed that faces south for unobstructed sunlight.
- Consider starting indoors: Starting seeds indoors and transplanting once the weather warms is a fantastic option and one I do each year.
Remember, indeterminate tomatoes are marathon growers—they need consistent warmth. Sudden dips in temperature can stunt their growth or even lead to blossom drop (where flowers just fall off instead of bearing fruit). Trust me, that’s a frustration you don’t want!
With healthy soil, bright sun, and the right temperature, you’re setting the stage for tomato-growing success. Next up? Let’s talk about how to care for these plants as they grow into their sprawling, fruitful glory. Stay tuned!
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Planting Indeterminate Tomatoes
These powerhouse producers need a little extra planning to ensure they grow healthy, productive, and well-supported throughout the extended season. Let me show you a few tips for growing awesome tomatoes this season.
Planting Depth and Seedling Preparation
One of the most important things to remember when planting indeterminate tomatoes is to plant them deep—much deeper than you would other plants. Why? Because tomatoes have the unique capacity to grow roots along their buried stem, creating a sprawling, stronger root system that better supports their vigorous growth. The deeper the roots, the better your plant can access water and nutrients, even during dry spells.
When transplanting, you’ll want to:
- Dig a hole deep enough to cover at least two-thirds of the tomato plant’s stem. You can also instead dig a trench and lay the plant down in the trench with the top still sticking out.
- Remove any of the lower leaves of the seedling that will be buried before planting (don’t worry, the plant will thank you for it!).
- Tuck the plant into its new home, gently packing soil around it to hold it steady.
If you've started these seedlings yourself, don't forget to harden off your seedlings. If you’re new to this term, hardening off is just gardener-speak for gradually introducing your plants to the great outdoors. Start by putting your seedlings outside for a few hours daily, increasing their exposure over a week. This method toughens them up, helping them adjust to the sunlight, cooler nights, and any wind or weather surprises.
Spacing and Support Systems
Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-like growers, and as much as they’d love to conquer your garden, they need proper spacing and support to thrive. Trust me, crowding plants is a recipe for poor airflow (leading to disease), tangled vines, and disappointed harvests later.
Here’s what works best for spacing:
- Allow 24 inches between each plant in the row.
- Keep rows roughly 36 (or more) inches apart for easy navigation and plenty of breathing room.
This spacing gives each plant the space it needs to spread its roots underground while also giving you enough elbow room when tending to them during the growing season. I know it may look like a TON of space when you first plant them, but when they turn into huge beautiful plants you'll wonder why you didn't leave more space.
After planting your tomatoes comes the big question: What type of support system do you need? Indeterminate tomatoes are natural climbers, so they’ll appreciate sturdy structures to lean on. Those round tomato cages you can get at any garden supply store? Ya, they aren't going to cut it here. You're better off using those for your pepper plants instead.
Depending on your garden’s size and resources, you can choose between:
- Stakes: A classic choice. Drive a wooden or metal stake into the ground near your plant, and use garden ties or string to secure the tomato as it grows upward. Great for smaller gardens, but you'll have to prune your plants pretty hard to keep them manageable.
- Concrete Remesh Cages: These are made by taking concrete remesh and rolling it into a nice wide cage. A wide cage allows the vine to sprawl naturally while still offering support for those heavy fruit clusters.
- Trellises: If you love a vertical garden vibe, set up trellises or arbors. This method keeps plants elevated and creates a beautiful, almost decorative look to your vegetable patch. This option can also provide a shaded area for those plants that are a little less sun loving to grown beneath your tomatoes.
- Florida Weave: Got a row of tomato plants? This technique uses stakes spaced between every two plants and twine to form a zigzag pattern for support. The twine (or whatever string you decide to use) is woven in and out between each plant and around the stakes every 12 inches or so as the plants grow. This method works really well if you have A LOT of plants to support. (check out the picture of this method above)
- Cattle Panel: My absolute favorite way to support indeterminate tomatoes is to use cattle panel. Plant your tomatoes in a row, add in a few t-posts on each side of the row, then attach cattle panel (or other livestock panel) to the t-posts. (pictured below)
Choose whatever works best for your space and budget, seriously any of these will work. Just make sure that you provide support and get it up as soon as possible. Skipping this step will leave you dealing with a tomato jungle by midsummer, and trust me, you won’t enjoy gardening in that mess. (remember my cherry tomato plant from earlier? Ya, it was super hard to work with)
To make sure you get the most out of your planting efforts, don’t forget to regularly check on your support setup for failures or other problems—it’ll save you headaches (and heartaches) down the line.
Get those tomatoes planted deeply, spaced wisely, and supported early—your summer harvest will be a fruitful reward for the extra effort!
Caring for Indeterminate Tomato Plants
Once your indeterminate tomato plants are rooted and growing like crazy it's super important to understand how to care for them through watering, fertilizing, pruning, and managing pests or diseases. These steps are vital to ensuring your plants grow healthy, produce abundantly, and resist common problems, so let’s break it all down.
Watering and Fertilizing
Watering indeterminate tomatoes may feel like a balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Your tomatoes like consistency—think of their soil like a sponge that stays just damp enough without becoming soggy.
Here are the golden rules for watering:
- Water deeply but infrequently: Give your plants a good soak (around 1-2 inches of water each week) to keep their deep root system thriving. During the really hot and dry times, I might water twice a week, but I also use heavy mulch.
- Avoid overhead watering: Wet leaves can invite disease. Soaker hoses or a drip system is the best option to water your plants. That being said, I live in a really dry non-humid climate, and I can overhead water with no problem. I usually run my sprinklers overnight to take advantage of the cool temps.
- Water when it's cool: Watering in the morning or overnight means leaves dry out quickly once the sun gets warm. This can help reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilizing is important as well if you have poor soil. Indeterminate varieties grow tall and strong, so they need fuel for the journey. Start with a high-phosphorus fertilizer at planting time for solid root development. Once plants start flowering and fruiting, switch to a product with balanced nutrients or lower nitrogen to focus on fruit production.
I amend my gardens each year with compost from the goats, and so far I haven't had to apply any additional fertilizers.
Pruning Indeterminate Tomatoes
Pruning these large plants is one of the best ways to improve airflow, reduce disease, and channel energy into producing fruit instead of excessive foliage.
Here’s how to prune effectively:
- Remove lower leaves: This keeps those close-to-the-ground leaves from inviting pests or disease.
- Pinch off suckers regularly: Use your fingers or garden snippers to gently remove these small shoots that grow from between the joint of a stem and branch. I don't prune all my suckers, but removing some will definitely help keep your plants in check.
Yes, it's really that simple. Some people will tell you to top your plants and train them to a single stem and all kinds of other things, but I've never found that extra work to be necessary where I live. Now if you live in a really humid climate, you might need to prune more aggressively, but I'm definitely not an expert in humid climates. If you need help in that area, check out these pruning tips from Roots & Refuge.
Pest and Disease Management
Indeterminate tomatoes definitely aren't immune to pests or diseases. If you're starting to notice nibbled leaves, slow growth, yellow-colored leaves or spots here’s what to watch for and how to handle it.
Common Pests:
- Tomato hornworms: Probably the biggest tomato pest ever! These giant green caterpillars can munch through leaves in no time. I mean no time. They can destroy a plant overnight. Pick them off by hand, introduce natural predators like parasitic wasps, or use insecticides if that aligns with how you like to garden.
- Aphids: Tiny and annoying, these sap-suckers weaken plants over time. Blast aphids off with water or introduce ladybugs to your garden!
Many other types of pests would love to munch on your tomatoes like stink bugs, armyworms, cutworms, white flies, and more. My favorite and top tip for controlling pests on your tomatoes? Plant marigolds with them. Marigolds are my favorite first line of defense when it comes to garden pests.
Common Diseases:
- Blight: Yellowing or browning leaves with spots? This fungal disease loves warm and wet conditions. Remove affected leaves and try applying a copper-based fungicide. Here's some more info on early blight from Sow Many Plants
- Powdery mildew: Dusty, white fungus on leaves? Improve airflow with pruning and reduce watering on leaves.
- Blossom End Rot: This causes dark, sunken spots at the bottom of tomatoes and is often linked to inconsistent watering or a lack of calcium in the soil—maintain even moisture and consider adding calcium supplements to prevent it.
For an organic approach, neem oil can deter both pests and diseases. Prefer something stronger? Look for insecticides or fungicides labeled safe for tomatoes—but always follow the directions carefully! If I have to use an insecticide, I prefer to use Sevin, but I try to avoid them if possible so I don't hurt the beneficial insects as well.
With these care strategies in your pocket, your indeterminate tomatoes will reward you all season long. Keeping the balance of water, nutrients, structure, and protection ensures they stay happy, healthy, and productive.
Harvesting and Storing Indeterminate Tomatoes
When it comes to indeterminate tomatoes, part of the magic is knowing when to pick them and how to keep them flavorful until you're ready to use them. These vine-grown jewels can make all your garden efforts worth it, so let’s get right into it!
Signs of Ripeness
Here’s what to look for when deciding if your indeterminate tomatoes are ready to pick:
- Color: Your tomatoes should fully reveal their designated hue, whether it’s a deep red for Brandywine, a vibrant orange for Sun Gold, or that dusky purple for Cherokee Purple. Keep in mind, that partially ripened tomatoes (with a hint of green) can also finish ripening off the vine if picked properly, and may be your best option if you have animal pests wanting to enjoy your fruits as well!
- Feel: Gently give the fruit a slight squeeze—think of how a tennis ball feels. A ripe tomato will have just a little give but won’t be mushy. Too firm? Give it more time. Too soft? Don't delay picking!
- Ease of Separation: Ripe tomatoes will detach willingly from the vine with a simple twist or gentle pull. If you find yourself yanking or struggling, it’s probably a sign the fruit needs more time to mature.
Pro tip: If you’re harvesting tomatoes in late summer and worried about upcoming frost, simply pick any fruit that’s starting to turn and let it ripen indoors. Trust me, they’ll taste just as delicious on your table as they would from the vine!
Storing Freshly Picked Tomatoes
Once you’ve picked your tomatoes, the next step is keeping them fresh—and flavorful—until you’re ready to enjoy them. Did you know storing tomatoes the right way can make all the difference in preserving that garden-fresh taste? Here’s how to do it:
For Short-Term Use:
- Leave Them at Room Temperature: Tomatoes are best when they’re kept out of the fridge. Store them on your countertop, stem side up, away from direct sunlight.
- Flat Surfaces or Bowls Work Best: Lay them out on a flat surface or in a bowl with plenty of airflow. You don't want to crowd or squish them together.
If you’re wondering why it’s best to avoid refrigeration, check out Serious Eats' resource on the topic. They explain how cold temperatures can dull tomatoes’ taste and change their texture.
For Long-Term Use:
Planning ahead for chili night or those winter pasta sauces? Try these approaches:
- Canning: Home-canning tomatoes is like sealing away summer in a glass jars. Whether you’re making whole tomatoes, sauce, or salsa, this is ideal for long-term storage. Check out these canning recipes from my friend Robin at Preserving Guide for tomato sauce or pickled cherry tomatoes!
- Freezing Tomatoes: Rinse and remove any stems before popping them into freezer-safe bags. I also remove the cores for easy processing later. One of the biggest benefits of freezing for use later is that when they thaw, the skins slip right off. Just remember if you're going to can them after freezing don't drain the juice off! You need it for safe canning.
- Dehydrating: Drying tomatoes preserves their sweetness and makes them great for snacks or toppings. Store these in airtight containers in a cool pantry.
Every household has its preferred method(s), but the goal is simple: taste-locked, resourceful, and ready for use during those gloomy off-seasons.
With these tips in mind, freshly picked tomatoes from your indeterminate tomatoes can easily shine as the stars of your kitchen. Whether you're tossing them into a salad or experimenting with preservation, your careful attention will pay off in both flavor and freshness!
Will You Grow Some Indeterminate Varieties?
Growing indeterminate tomatoes is a rewarding experience that keeps on giving all season long. With the right care—rich soil, consistent support, and thoughtful pruning—you can enjoy their abundant, flavorful harvests for months.
Why not take the plunge and start cultivating your own? It’s simpler than it seems, and the taste of freshly picked tomatoes is unmatched. Plus, to boost your success, consider integrating companion planting techniques. Curious how other plants can help your tomatoes thrive? Check out this guide to great companion plants for spinach for ideas that might surprise you.
You’ve got all the tools to get started—so grab those seeds or seedlings, set up your garden space, and watch your indeterminate tomatoes reach for the skies (literally). Happy growing!
