Hey everyone! I'm new to growing tomatoes and I'm in zone 7a. I'm planning to start my tomato seeds next year and would love to hear your suggestions on which varieties work best for our sometimes unpredictable weather. Any tips on which ones to choose? Thanks a ton!
4 Answers
Better Boys and cherry varieties are my go-tos—their reliability can't be beat! I recommend trying those if you haven't yet; they’ve been great for me.
In my experience, even though I'm in zone 8a, varieties like Early Girl, 4th of July, Celebrity, Roma, and San Marzano have produced great results for me. Look for tomato types with a quick turnaround from seeds to harvest—I think you'll have good luck with those!
I'm also in 7a, though in western Colorado, and I have had quite a different journey! While I've struggled with Roma and San Marzano due to blossom end rot, I've found that cherry tomatoes like Super Sweet 100 and Husky Cherry Reds really shine here. Pink Brandywines from seed were surprisingly fantastic this year as well! Just keep in mind that every garden is a bit unique.
Consider what you like to do with your tomatoes! I'm right on the 6b/7a line in the Appalachians and found Cherokee Purples to be pretty solid, but this year I tried Speckled Romans and they’ve thrived—definitely recommend them! They're versatile in recipes from salads to sauces, and they might fit what you typically cook. Cherry varieties like Sungolds are consistent producers too, so you can't go wrong there!
Cherry tomatoes are really fun to grow and they taste amazing! They've been a hit in my garden too.