What is the difference between vine tomatoes

Bush tomatoes don't have as long of a growing period as vining tomatoes. However, they do produce fruit earlier in the season than their indeterminate siblings.

Some gardeners think that these tomatoes have less flavor than indeterminate varieties because the plants produce fewer leaves. Once the tomato plants reach their full height, the flowers grow, fruit appears, and then it's done for the season.

However, the number of tomatoes produced can be prolific, and they will all appear and ripen around the same time. If you're interested in canning tomatoes, you would do well with bush tomatoes and the large harvest produced within about a one-month period.

Vining tomatoes, as the name suggests, grow like vines. Therefore, they need to be staked so they can continue to climb upward to 5 feet and beyond. The average size is 6 feet, but it's not unheard of for a plant to reach 12 feet tall. These indeterminate tomatoes will grow, blossom, and bear tomatoes until a hard frost ends the growing period.

The production can be random but tends to be steady throughout the harvest season. Most heirloom tomato varieties are indeterminate, though there are a few determinate kinds. Get back to your culinary roots with heirloom tomatoes that have been passed down for generations. With a wide range of sizes and vibrant colors, heirlooms are also rich in flavor, making them one of the best tomatoes to liven up your dish.

These tomatoes are a perfect addition to sandwiches and salads, make a delicious grilled or roasted side dish, and taste great raw with a drizzle of olive oil and dash of salt. Whether you like your tomatoes sweet or tangy, heirlooms have something for everyone. These tomatoes can do just about anything, from making the finest tomato soup you have ever tasted to adding a refreshing pop of flavor to sauces, jams, and salads.

Slice them, dice them, roast them, eat them raw—the possibilities with a tomato on the vine are endless! Our guide includes healthy eating tips, delicious recipes, and inspiration from our community. Not sure whether the tomato you have is determinate or indeterminate? Some determinate varieties develop more leaves than indeterminate varieties.

However, the creation of new leaves at branch areas can be found in both kinds of plants. Ultimately, both bush and vine tomatoes can be easy to grow. That said, your care requirements will be similar for both bush and vine tomatoes in that both require regular fertilizing, watering, pruning, and staking. If you like to harvest a ton of tomatoes all at once, go for a determinate variety.

Who might fall into this category? If you are a commercial grower, then obviously, harvesting all of your tomatoes at once may or may not make sense. But for a home grower, determinate tomatoes are logical if you plan on preserving a ton of tomatoes or making things like salsa, tomato sauce, or canned tomatoes.

With indeterminate tomatoes, your harvest will be more sporadic. You may start harvesting tomatoes in June and not finish up until the first frost. Grow determinate varieties.

Indeterminate will be better for you. If you grow on a patio or in an apartment garden, go for determinate tomatoes. The type of tomato plants chosen will depend on the production timeline and type of tomato needed.

California is one of the largest commercial producers of the tomato, with Florida a close second. Home gardeners have their own requirements such as space or size that determine the plant type. Bush tomatoes are more easily grown in containers and take less space, while vine tomatoes need room to spread out. Bush tomatoes grow only to a certain height, depending on the variety, while vine tomato plants will continue to grow and produce until frost or other natural elements stop them.

Bush tomatoes need little support, and smaller plants such as dwarf tomatoes may not require any stakes or caging.