Of all the wonderful rewards that gardening offers, few can compare to the incredible taste sensation of munching on a vine-ripened tomato fresh from the garden. From sugary sweet cherry tomato varieties to mild-and-meaty gigantic beefsteak tomatoes to rich-flavored brandywine heirloom varieties, tomatoes are truly in a flavor league of their own.
There are literally thousands of tomato varieties for gardeners to include in their backyard gardens. Some gardeners like to rely on the tried-and-true favorites that have proven their ability to produce great-tasting tomatoes, while others (like myself) enjoy seeking out new tomato varieties to try each year.
Despite what the seed catalogs or plant nurseries promise, you won’t know if a new tomato variety will succeed in your particular garden or not, until you try. But there is joy to be found in this discovery, as well as the eager anticipation of the day you can finally put a new variety of tomato plant to the taste test. Add to that, the sharp, tangy scent of the tomato plant, and it’s easy to see why millions of backyard gardeners include them in their summer crops year after year.
Here are just a few of the newest tomato varieties you might want to try growing in your own backyard garden this year.
Early Season Red Tomato
“Kimberly” is a compact plant that delivers a large bounty of small, flavorful fruit. This early-bearing plant sets fruit well in cooler temperatures, making it great for short-season gardens. Indeterminate. 54 days.
Mid Season Red Tomato
Variegated” is a one-of-a-kind tomato variety that’s worth growing both for the abundant fruit and the striking white-and-green foliage. The fruit is mid-size with good flavor. Indeterminate. 75 days.
“Chapman” is an heirloom tomato plant that bears copious amounts of huge, deep red fruit with extraordinary flavor. This wonderful beefsteak tomato plant is destined to become a favorite in backyard gardens. Indeterminate. 80 days.
Earl’s Faux” is a vigorous grower that bears deep pink beefsteak tomatoes with a deliciously sweet taste. This heirloom tomato is so good that it’s already won awards in tomato-tasting contests! Indeterminate. 80 days.
Black Tomato
“Cherokee Chocolate” bears large quantities of mahogany-chocolate colored tomatoes with the wonderful flavor and ample size of the Cherokee Purple tomato plant from which it is derived. Indeterminate. 75 days.
White Tomato
“Coyote” bears loads of delightful little cherry tomatoes that are a creamy ivory color with hints of yellow. The taste is unforgettable-sweet like other cherry tomatoes but marked with a complex fruitiness. Indeterminate. 65 days.
“Green Giant” is a potato-leaved tomato variety with a delicious combination of the sweet-and-spicy flavor green tomatoes are known for. The medium size fruit turns a beautiful chartreuse color when ripe. Indeterminate. 85 days.
Hybrid Tomato
“Red Lightning” is an exclusive Burpee tomato plant that produces flavorful medium-size fruit. You’ll love the taste, but the electrifying look is what sets this new tomato variety apart-the red fruit has yellow stripes that give it a “hand painted” appearance. Indeterminate. 82 days.
Grape Tomato
Gurney’s “Baby Girls” produces high yields of sweet and juicy grape tomatoes that make a perfect bite-size snack. In fact, you’ll be popping them in your mouth every time you’re out in your tomato garden! Determinate. 62 days.
Paste Tomato
Margherita” is a perfect paste tomato to use for its namesake dish, Pizza Margherita, a classic summer pie made with fresh basil, mozzarella cheese and of course, tomatoes. Roasting really brings out the flavor of these deep red tomatoes that are great in pasta and other dishes. Determinate. 72 days.
No matter which varieties of tomatoes you choose to grow in your backyard garden, remember to plant them in full sun and provide adequate water and support for the vines. You’ll be rewarded with a taste sensation that is unlike any tomato you could ever buy from the grocer store!
