If you found this video helpful, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 You've Been Lied To About Determinate Tomatoes! 1:14 Lie #1 2:48 4 Great Tasting Determinate Tomato Varieties 4:08 Lie #2 9:18 Lie #3 11:43 Lie #4 13:22 Square Foot Gardening Tomato Growing Tips 16:20 Adventures With Dale
Back before I got really into gardening I grew determinant tomatoes. Threw miracle gro on them once a week, did everything "wrong" according to the Internet, and they produced all season until frost. I swear, sometimes ignorance is better.
AGREE 💯 my friend! I have grown Rutgers, Celebrity, Bush Early Girl and Ace 55 for the past 3 years and they ALWAYS outperform my indeterminates 👍🏼 And, my determinate tomato plants consistently produce for MONTHS. All I have to do is keep the fertilizer going and they will keep producing until disease takes them. I love the way you keep it REAL about the struggles with gardening. I live in Hot, Humid Georgia and frankly it’s a pain in the ass to grow tomatoes.
It’s about the same, here. Really hard to grow tomatoes past Memorial Day. Determinates have changed my life by making the impossible possible. I have no idea how they’ve developed such a negative reputation. They should be the FOUNDATION of our tomato garden, and the indeterminates should be considered the fun play things for kicks and excitement.
@@TheMillennialGardener So true! My Cherry and Determinate tomatoes are most of what I grow, then about 4 Indeterminates. And every year I cuss them and pull them out by mid-July. Growing in heat & humidity is a whole different ball game. It’s a constant battle
@@amyk6028 I've found the same thing. The cherry and roma-type indeterminates will still grow. However, the determinate roma types are just as good. It's really only the cherry indeterminates that are worth the trouble. Honestly, if I were growing strictly for production, I wouldn't grow another indeterminate tomato, but I grow them out of love for the variety. Determinates are just so much more productive and lower maintenance!
@@TheMillennialGardener The Tommie Toe Indeterminate is one that I've grown here in North Central Florida for 4 years now. It's a vigorous and giving plant. Basically my only one still fruiting right now! I haven't grown determinates due to the "myths" so thanks and I'll start adding them as we have a second summer here starting real soon and rainy season will end in Sept plus weather beginning to get cooler as we head to winter. Thanls for the awesome content!
Isn't it wonderful we all have choices? For anyone to say that determinant or indeterminate is the only way to go is just plain being uninformed. Great video to educate.
@@TheMillennialGardener I think the fact that you grow both types and seemingly know the pros and cons of both lends A LOT of credibility to your video. I will be trying one of the favorite varieties you mentioned in my Wisconsin garden next year. Thanks again!
I'm glad to hear it! I recommend growing both types of tomatoes. The determinate tomatoes make fantastic foundational workhorses for solid protection. They're the "food tomatoes." Indeterminate tomatoes, to me, are "fun tomatoes" and go well in salads since they have more 'interesting' varieties.
Love how true this is! My first ever tomato plants were Tiny Tim (determinant) and they did so well in a large grow bag. Certainly not that “tiny” if you provide sufficiently nutrients and space for the roots to spread. They got me hooked on growing more tomatoes. So the year after, I decided to try out ALL indeterminate varieties (on a proper garden bed this time). After watching all successful stories on the Internet I was so inspired by the strings/ lower&lean method. The plants were pruned to only one main vine each so only one cluster of fruits set at a time. Being heirlooms and all, each clusters gave me 2-3 good size fruits (a few were huge). What I didn’t account for was the limitation of the growing season. By the time the 4-5th flower clusters started setting, rain season hit, hard! The first fruits started ripening up but their flavours were washed away by the excessive rain. Leaves eventually became rotten and the plants started to die back with green fruits still on them. So my hope of having a long lasting tomatoes harvest were shattered. The truth is it doesn’t matter which variety you plant, they will only last as long as the weather/season allows it. I’ve realised that Indeterminate varieties are best suited for a controlled environment like a greenhouse or poly tunnel. Trying out bush varieties this year. Wish me luck!
That’s excellent. There are two types of people: those that love determinate tomatoes, and those that haven’t grown them yet 😂 After many years of wrestling vines, it is nice to have something easy to manage.
@@jmaalona you won't regret it! Just make sure you DO NOT prune them. The only foliage that can be removed from determinates are the lowest leaf nodes underneath the first sucker. Anything above that can't stay. Determinates thrive on neglect. Stake them up with Florida weave or a short, strong stake and they'll flourish.
@@area51z63 My indeterminates have been through h3ll this season. Thrips and extremely high UV Index levels. Only my determinates are thriving. And we eat them to fast to freeze any because we now live in an apartment. Can't grow too many at a time. 😔
@@TheMillennialGardener I never even knew there was a difference... I just plant tomatoes, either seed or plant. Nice to finally know that there IS a difference and now know what to look for.
Tried determinate this year and never going back- delicious 😋-productive - space saving -and no pruning Best thing I ever did in the garden! I only tried this because of your earlier video, thanks you soooo much for the helpful info 🍅🍅🍅🍅
Darling you are a Cutie-pie!!!!!😂👵🏻. Love that you live in my State bc I can count on when to plant something since our climate is the same…..this old lady planted green beans, limas, bell peppers, oh and in containers…Oriental Eggplant….it’s a lot of work for me but I do what I can….my green beans developed a bacterial something and I can’t find where I put my Neem Oil” 🤷🏻♀️….🤣 I direct sowed Tomato Seeds (Romas and Red Delicious) and put too many in the container!!!!! Will never do that again……I tried….Love all your informative videos…..keep up the good work….Gram
InDeterminate grower here! It’s what I’ve always grown! Roma to be specific. I love how fast they grow, I love how they taste even in a sandwich and so much more, and for me I get great harvests! I grew just two plants in a raised bed this year, planted them end of April. They are still producing! I’ve had the most beautiful fruit this year despite this horrible heat, humidity and drought! Every time I try growing indeterminate, including this year, I’m disappointed. Low yields, problems with pests or disease, And way more upkeep than my faithful Romas! So I am so glad you are making this video!!!
I think the myth of "all at once" comes from farmers who HAVE to harvest all at once with machines. Not all of their tomatoes ripen all at once either they only keep the ripe ones and spread the green ones back onto the field to compost. Thanks for suggesting Siletz earlier in the year. Just picked the first ripe one and it was very good. 👍🏻
Wow! I am def. going to try growing determinant tomatoes! Thank you! This year (my first garden) I found that I can grow a garden and get produce from it. Lots of mistakes along the way, and it still grew. I honestly didn't think it would. But I tried. I hoped. I prayed. It grew. 😊 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ There is So much to learn about gardening, and it's so much fun. Hard work at first, but def. A lot of fun. Thank you for sharing your love of gardening, and teaching us how to garden.
Great job starting a garden! That's excellent. I've been in the garden since diapers, and I still make mistakes all the time. When I moved from the Northeast to the South, I had to learn all over again! Just remember, there are no such thing as failures, only learning experiences. You only fail if you give up and quit. Every year, things go wrong. Learn from them, and try another angle next year. Every year, they'll get better and better. Start slow, and every year, add a few more things. Don't forget to try a fruit tree or two. They grow themselves and produce for a lifetime!
Celebrity was one of the first tomatoes I ever grew. It had just come out as an AAS winner and I read about it in the old Organic Gardening magazine and ordered some seeds. It performed fantastically.
I worked on a farm from Age 11-17 back in the late 90's/early 2000's. All the farmer grew was Celebrity. No other varieties. They were split-proof, produced like crazy, every one was picture-perfect. People would drive from Pennsylvania to our farm in NJ to buy them.
Thank you for debunking these myths. Of the tomatoes I have grown from seed the determinate plants have done best. The heat this year has been brutal on all crops but especially my tomatoes. I learn alot from you,thanks.
Amazing information for your area!! You do a great service by making these videos. I’m in Newfoundland and indeterminate tomatoes are much more productive where I live. Our summers hit 30 degrees Celsius fairly consistently and we have a humidity that hovers around 75%. My tomatoes last from May to late September with disease starting to happen in late September. Determinate tomatoes don’t nearly yield as much here (maybe about 1/3). This video is giving me some great knowledge even though it doesn’t apply to us. But I imagine this is incredibly helpful to everyone in your zone.
This is exactly what im looking for. I grow tomatoes in pots on the deck. I think I have a new plan next year. Get a determine plant and once it gets big enough clone a sucker or 2 every few weeks in spring. Thank you for this.
I grew up in NW PA and my grandparents grew a huge garden every year, which I helped to plant and harvest. I moved to south TX a very long time ago but haven't grown a garden. Last fall, I decided to grow a container garden in my small backyard using vertical planters. Planted mid-Oct expecting to grow a fairly decent garden. It was a bust. This past spring I added grow bags and planted mid-April. Seeds germinated well and everything was growing. Then the 100°+ temps started early May, and my garden just didn't do well with the heat. I learned the hot TX sun can scorch the leaves quickly. I am definitely going to use 50% shade cloth next summer. I found good planting schedules for my area and am going to use them to plan next year's container garden. Hopefully, I will be more successful. I always enjoy watching your channel and have learned many beneficial gardening tips. Thanks for sharing with us.
In north AL, we planted our tomatoes on the east side of the house--- right up against the wall. It was shaded after 2pm and we had a very very good harvest and healthy plants. That was in 2007
I live in AZ and it’s very difficult to grow tomatoes here because they don’t set fruit in the heat. I’m using 40% shade cloth, but next year I’ll install drip irrigation, and hopefully, it’ll help.
I have been growing determinate tomatoes and other crops this year. I also have found that hybrid versions are much more rewarding too. I enjoy the videos.
Thank you! You may also be interested in looking at Dwarf Tomato Project varieties. They are not particularly disease resistant, but they're fun to mess with early in the season. The fruits are fantastic.
It’s been the reverse for us this year, low production on the determinates but huge continuing harvests for the indeterminates. Slowing a bit now but plants are still going strong! I have been spraying weekly with a diluted baking soda solution and disease has been kept under control. One interesting variety we are growing is “Candyland” which is a currant type, hundreds of very small sweet fruits. Give this a try. On your suggestion I have started some tomatoes for (hopefully) a late fall harvest. Wish us luck!
I've learned so much from you. Like that you can't leave a cucumber to turn yellow. As for tomatoes, I keep hearing that they're full of lectins? Only the peel and seeds... I thought determinate meant it doesn't get leggie and indeterminate grow and grow all over the place. Anyway it's a crap shoot here, I feed my chickens tomatoes and I have tomatoes growing everywhere. 😌 I have so many roots,to see something growing in the ground..I sometimes top off my indeterminate, pick the suckers( if I see them) it's hard to find determinate tomatoes I look at the tag. But I didn't know to not prune them.. a BIG Thankyou to you!
This is my first year with determinate. I'm growing several dwarf varias well. This was great, I had heard those myths as well, and wasn't interested in determinate because of that. I'm in Southern Ontario and the dwarfs have worked great, I can start them indfs in January and they're manageable until April when they grow in the greenhouse. I'm growing marglobe for the first time this year, I've only gotten so far, but it was tasty. Thanks for the info.
I agree as well! I grew both determinates and indeterminates this year and they have been just as productive and still going. The determinates were a little smaller plants but other than that they produce just as long as the indeterminates in Georgia . Red Snapper has big beautiful beefsteak size tomatoes and the plants are still going.
They're definitely amazing tomatoes. Are they as good as Brandywine Sudduth? Of course now, but you'll get 3 times the tomatoes on that little 36 inch tall bush than you'll get on a 7' Brandywine vine and they'll all be perfect and never crack. I'll say they're 80% as good as a Brandywine and on par with Big Beef without the trouble.
I am enjoying all of your videos. "It pays to have a Dale" just made me smile. I have an Ollie, (a rescue from a reservation) and we feel the same. Our Ollie is our cherished king of his castle. Thank you for all of your great videos!
My indeterminate varieties did great this year, but the determinate variety not so much. I believe the mistake I made, other than getting a bit of a late start, was buying plants that had fruit on them already.
Amen. Your deterinate posts have confermed my lived xperience. I am 64 yrs. Old and have just recently been converted to this message. Hoping your info will help up and comming gardeners alongthelearning curve sooner. GOOD JOB
Wow, another great video. You are such a wealth of information😊👍. This is the first year I have had a garden and I ended up getting both kinds of tomatoes. I must say, the determinants are much easier for his senior citizen to handle. Honestly, when I bought the starts (not brave enough to try seeds yet) I didn’t understand the difference between the two…but I’ve learned so much from your videos that have helped along the way. Thank you!
For the past 3+ decades I lived and grew indeterminate tomatoes in northern California a few miles outside Napa in near-perfect conditions. I'd start seeds in our sunroom in January, transplant in March, shade in June, and harvest beautiful tomatoes until November's or December's frosts. It was like a textbook case for indeterminates. Then I retired to the Piedmont of North Carolina and tried the same varieties. Oops, big mistake...HUGE! Now I'm looking for some Celebrity starts so I'm not hopelessly behind, and succession plant them. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Dwarf determinates are amazing, you can plant 3 together and get a really nice bush full of tomatoes and it grows to a maximum hight of 50 cm, outside of some small support they dont require any work.
I live in Winston-Salem, NC. Last year I grew some tiny treats tomatoes and I had a great harvest. I also grew some beefsteak tomatoes the last two years, I did not have a great harvest. The tiny treats was not much work and they were great for my environment. I glad I watched this video. This year I will be growing determined tomatoes this year.
The Tasmanian Chocolate variety from Johnny's seeds is a tasty one to grow👍 I actually love determinate tomatoes because I can grow then on my deck. They stay compact and still give you great tomatoes. But you are right about determinate varieties not being very common. I don't really see very many when buying my seeds online so thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely try Siletz, Bella Rosa, Celebrity or Marblobe next year🙂... Or maybe all of them 😄
Really good video. Gave me a whole new way to look at determinate vs indeterminates. And I also agree about Bella Rosa and Celebrity. Down here in Florida they are practically bullet proof. I like Celebrity a bit better, as I get larger tomatoes, but both are great varieties, for the reasons you mentioned.
I think Bella Rosa is sort of an "updated" version of Celebrity that is more perfect looking and productive. Celebrity gives you 90% perfect looking tomatoes, but you can tell it's a bit of an older strain. That being said, I agree, Celebrity is better tasting. Celebrity is king of the F1 determinates.
I live in Jersey and just pulled out my indeterminate plants and planted Tiny Tim determinate seeds. I plant only in containers and it's my first year gardening, so everything is an experiment for me. I hope I have more success with the Tiny Tim determinates than I had with the beefsteak indeterminates. Thanks for another very informative video!
You're on a roll! Love it! Truth be told! I am in Central Florida and I am harvesting sun golds right now and they are pushing seven feet, and just getting started. Who wants to get on a ladder to pick that high anyway? So, if I pinch the top of these plants, will they grow more fruit sets lower down on the horizontal branches?
Last year (2022) my Determinate Romas were going strong all summer, with less disease. As the nights were getting down to the 40s and everything from our summer sowing had died, Romas were still producing fruit. I pulled all the large green ones before pulling the plant (so I could seed my fall garden). The green Romas were still nice, firm & red sitting on my kitchen counter. We ate the last one in January!! I always grow Rutgers, Romas & Celebrities. Thanks for another great video!
I agree, I had determinate tomatoes planted in September, highly productive through two freezes, removed them in March to replaced with new ones. I love determinate.
I agree with you 500%! I am a gardener that observes the plants behavior rather than listen to every gardener and all you are talking about is what I learned.
Awesome update & I agree 100%. I tried siletz this year because you suggested it & thank you. Enjoying them. Good boy Dale. Hope he got an extra treat for finding the critters. 😉
I recommend giving them a shot, but with the understanding that they must be treated very differently than indeterminates. They must be staked and not pruned. Never remove suckers, or you won't get a good harvest. Determinates thrive on neglect. You'll still want to do some due diligence with fungicides and pesticides if you have that issue in your climate, but the less you touch the plants, the better in general.
Well, now I’m really intrigued. I’m not much of a tomato gardener but decided to try three varieties of determinant tomatoes for the first time this year. Since I didn’t get them started until mid-June, I’m still waiting for the results. I decided to try determinant varieties for the first time in the hopes that the smaller plant size would help make me more successful. Your video has made me look forward to trying the actual tomatoes. Thanks for your info. I’ve subscribed and will go back and watch other videos. I’ve got a lot to learn.
I'm just getting started in this planting journey so I'm totally open minded. I realy don't understand someone getting upset about diverse opinions. I take the advise for what it is worth to me and say thank you then do my thing with or without the advise. Thanks to ALL the channels that guide me with my best Interest at heart. They share with no requirement of payment . God bless you all❤
Thank you for the video brother. I will grow more determinates this season. I can argue with your data because you present honest truth IMHO. I only grew early girls in memory of my ex-wife grandfather , who massive plants.
100% agree. For the first 3 years of my gardening career, I've gone for indeterminate only growing one determinate (Carolina Gold) which had blossom end rot issues (potted plant) each time I grew that variety and it turned me off vs indeterminate. However, last year I grew a Mountain Merit hybrid that was super productive, allowed me to succession plant up here in Southern Ontario, and was resistant to the "early" late blight that hit and eventual took out my indeterminate by late August. The yield was better, the plant was far more compact, and the taste was sensational. Obviously, I still like growing indeterminate predominantly for the funky varieties/specific cherry tomatoes that do exceptionally well, but your video definitely persuaded me to grow more of a 50/50 split of indeterminate and determinate and thus far when we've been dealing with 100% humidity nights in the 60s and upwards of 110F sticky spells, the determinate varieties are far more stable and productive. Thanks for the advice on the topic and for all the videos you put out, it's a wealth of knowledge.
I kept indeterminate over the winter here in Charleston, SC in a small green house I built but I have to listen to a tomato grower from Jersey. I'm going to try some 👍deternimate right now. I have just enough time.
Without knowing anything about gardening I inadvertently grew determinate varieties for years. This year I decided to get serious about it and took all the internet advice to get indeterminate varieties, and what a freaking nightmare lol. It doesn't help that we've had a completely atypical year weather wise but I still just like the ease of growing determinates. I'm definitely going back to the determinates!
Love the video...I too grow both determinate and indeterminate tomato plants and my determinate tomato plants outperform my indeterminate tomato plants funny thing both in my garden beds and amazing in 25 gallon buckets...so really appreciate your videos and I am willing to try some of your tomato variety recommendations! All the best to you and Dale!
Hi from the SanFrancisco east Bay Area. I have a couple of 8x4 ft raised beds that are fully enclosed so I have been trying dwarf tomatoes with only moderate success. This year I planted Siltez, Stupice, Patio, and Super Bush. I am happy to hear your endorsement of Siltez. I learned a lot from your video and I’m glad I have pruned my plants yet.
I love Roma and Rutgers, both determinate. I also love indeterminate Early Girl, Cherokee Purple, Carmello, and Brandywine Red tomatoes, not to mention Sweet 100 and Sun Gold Cherry tomatoes. I try Beefsteak every year but only get a couple unless we are having El Nino. I live in Seattle. Usually my determinates stop fruiting first. Cherokee Purple would be perfect for Millennial Gardener.
This year I am only growing determinant and dwarf tomatoes. I NEVER was able to keep up with prunning and staking and now that I'm losing my sight it's almost impossible. I grew one determinant and 6 dwarfs last year and I'm hooked! No more "jungle" tomatoes that I can't tame and keep where they are supposed to be! I'm glad I.saw your video from last fall showing how good the determinants did. That along with seeing how good my one plant was doing convinced me.
Thank you for this video! I have grown several determinate cherry tomato varieties indoors in a hydroponic setting, and in my experience they can continue to produce indefinitely in the absence of disease and environmental pressures. They kind of look like they’re about to die after each harvest, but as soon as you pick all the fruits they go right back into foliage and flower production.
I love, Love, LOVE my deterinants and dwarf tomatoes". I'll never go back to the jungle tomatoes. They are hardy, the plants are smaller, but not the tomatoes, NO prunning and they are delicious! And I don't have to have a 6 foot cage for them. This year I had 8 determinant and dwarf plants plants in containers (and 2 volunteer dwargs in my raised bed). Now I'm trying to find out if I can clone them and keep in the house over the winter to get a head start in May when I can plant them. Don't see any info on that so I will just try it and see.
I live in Salem Oregon now for eight years and was raised in San Diego, in Cali you can grow tomatoes because of the weather, but here it’s a little more challenging I have grown indeterminate Tom’s and labored endlessly cutting them back and vining them and not getting much harvest! This year I’m growing way more determinate tomatoes! Thanks so much for your advice. You can’t buy a good tomato here during the season not like in Cali So I’m looking forward to changing with your experience thanks again! Tommy G.
Great video, thank you! We've sold our house and are moving in a month so couldn't plant my tomatoes in the yard this year. I have 2 plots in a community garden that I want to put tomatoes in but can't provide the proper vining trellis that I usually use for indeterminate tomatoes. I want to try determinite tomotoes for the first time. You've given me confidence that I can and might actually do better (here in southern Ontario we end up with humidity issues, and it sounds like the determinite might do better for us anyway.) It's going to be a great experiment!
I ordered a bunch more of the Dwarf tomato project varieties earlier this season. Bella Rosa was definitely a winner for me last year. I forgot to sow any this year. Red Snapper was very similar to Bella Rosa.
I only grow determinant tomatoes due to space limitations. Thanks for the list of varieties you like. I'm growing Celebriry here in Georgia, but I'll try some of the others next year.
You are spot on. I am from southeastern Pennsylvania in Bucks County and this year the heat has really done a job on my tomatoes but the only ones standing now are the determinant tomatoes which are thriving still. I think I’m going to start growing a lot more determinate and cut down on the indeterminate because I have much more success with the determinate tomatoes. Thanks again for a terrific video!
Here in CT, I've only had success with Determinate, Inds have produced, but poorly. The Determinates give me sooo many that I freeze & can a ton & still give away a bunch. 1 determinate will produce MORE than 3 Inds.
I have both, and I was planning next year to go all determinant. I love the fact that they stay smaller than my indeterminant and they are so much less work. I agree with every point you made. Thank you for the video.
I still grow mostly indeterminate, but that's because I'm a hobbyist/enthusiast. If I were growing strictly for production and food storage, I'd grow all determinates and not waste my time with indeterminates other than cherry types. Determinates just produce so much more food per square foot!
This is my 1st year of adding determinate varieties, and they have been healthier and more productive than the indeterminate tomatoes I planted. Already planning for next year with more determinates that I’m going to add.
I am adding in determinates at this point in the season shooting for mid-Sept ripening. I added this video to my Tomato Playlist. You didn't have to sell me, but you did a good job of sell the point.
Thank you so much you just ancered all my problems with growing tomatoes. My Mom and Dad have been gone a long time . I remember they just planted the tomatoes in a row no stakes just some kind of line and let them grow so many tomatoes clear up till frost they were the best tasting. Now thanks to you. I know what to do. I am learning a lot from you. Thanks again!
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful! Determinate tomatoes still benefit from some support. However, it's a lot simpler than indeterminate types.
I agree. Celebrity tomatoes are fantastic and do well here in Houston. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any plants early enough for this area. By July tomatoes are pretty much done here but Sun Golds will last the longest.
My yard doesn't get great sunlight because a next door building casts a shadow on it for several hours a day. The indeterminates that I grow barely produce fruit (except for the indeterminate cherry tomatoes which does produce some). The determines that I grow produce so many more tomatoes that I probably won't grow indeterminates again (except for the cherry varieties). Thanks a lot for the Siletz variety recommendation - I tried them this year and I am really happy that I did! I finally have a tomato harvest (despite the lower amount of sunlight)! Next year I am going to grow some Red Deuce determinates to see how they do as well.
Our local deer really love my determinant to my tomatoes. I am devastated they stole my first real red tomato the night before my planned pick! I’m so determined I dug them up and moved inside my lanai in 5 gal buckets to save fruit for us. From Tampa Fl thanks for your advice, I’ve learned a ton
So true. I have both determinate and indeterminate tomatoes and some are doing FANTASTIC this year while others are not. It's all about trial and error to see which varieties of each grow best in your climate and soil type. And of course ones that taste good to you. Thanks for the informative video.
Determinates will perform better, in general, than indeterminates in the UK. Indeterminate cherry types will do well in the UK, but determinates will be more reliable in general.
First time gardener this year and I bought several indeterminate and 1 Roma determinate and so far the Roma has been the easiest! So good to know foe next year!
Thanks for this information, former Jersey girl here now in Tennessee and you are so right about the ease of growing tomatoes up there, I haven't had a garden in years so I decided to do containers before I go all out with raised beds, all of my determinant Roma and San Marzano seeds are growing strong so Im looking forward to harvesting them for sauce ...Where did you get your seeds from I would like to try them. I purchased 7 gallon containers hope they're large enough Thank you in advance.
This year I grew four types of indeterminates. We have enough to eat and I have frozen four quarts. I really wanted to can lots of tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. I do have green foliage and some blossoms but who knows if we’ll get much more fruit. One San Mariano gigante 3 has two small tomatoes on it. You don’t believe how hard I have worked and how diligent I have been spraying baking soda, hydrogen peroxide etc to keep the disease and insects at bay. I had already decided to grow determinates next year for sauce and limit my indeterminates to German strawberry. That’s my favorite tomato of all time. Your video is very helpful. Thank you
Great info. I always planted indeterminate San Marzano just because I loved the flavor and they're great for sauces. Then I couldn't find seeds, so I opted for a determinate Roma. Later, I found the seeds and now will grow both.
This makes me feel better about my current tomato situation. Several determinate, 5 or so “big boy ” indeterminate and only I think 2 super sweet 100 indeterminate. And now I have bought more seeds I’ll start now for later season or in pots if I want to use shade
Thank you for this! I am tired of chasing the tips and trying to keep indeterminates balanced in my deck pots! No more tomato jungle! I was well pleased with the determinate I had last year. This year only a few plus a few cherries. More varieties of veg and flowers instead.
This year I tried few determined tomatoes and most of them are very productive, where I have indetermined tomates with less than they have. So I will check their taste and in case I like it they will find a place in my garden next year.
I garden on a small balcony and I grow determinate tomatoes. However, every year I have loads of indeterminate volunteers. Thank you for sharing this info. BTW- I currently LIVE in the PNW so I'm sure you know which tomato I find from my local farmer's market to grow! I had one plant I brought in 4 years in a row and grew under a strong grow light during the winter that produced just fine.
you are exactly correct! I always grew determant tomatoes for the 30 years I gardened in PA--which like u said is ideal for growing them. 2 years ago I moved to Texas and when I started gardening I planted indeterminant tomatoes in the spring and the vines grew but no tomatoes until fall! I quickly learned growing tomatoes in TX is totally different than in PA! This year I planted both types. No tomatoes yet on the indeterminate plants but had lots of production from the determinate plants until it got too hot--it has been averaging over 100 every day for 2 months! I did put a shade cloth over them and it helped a little but they are no longer producing and starting to die but the indeterminates are still growing--so I expect tomatoes to start producing when temps start going down and should produce through December. Thanks for your informative videos!
I had the same problem when I moved from PA to NC. It was a whole new world of challenges. I found that I do best when I actually start my tomatoes slightly BEFORE last chance of frost and protect them. That way, I can get a jump start. The key is to make sure you're loaded with flowers by April 15. That way, you have a solid 30 days of reasonable temps to set fruit before it gets too hot. I'll be using additional shade cloth as well to beat the heat. This video may help for next season: ua-cam.com/video/IkNczi2K-lU/v-deo.html
Thanks for the input. I'm growing a crop of plumb tomatoes for the first time and they are much heavier with fruit than all but one of my indeterminate breeds. Too much heat this summer for some of my favorite slicing tomatoes, and some blight(?) but I'm more than happy with the new plot growing in last year's wood chips without a raised-bed. Squash too, although the volunteer pumpkin hybrids I could have done without.
Good job Dale😊 My 2 boys (dogs) do same every morning- come with Mom and check the vegetables and perimeter check. This video came at great time with a wealth of information as I'm planning this spring garden. Thank you again for all your insight and clear to point video
@@TheMillennialGardener sorry to disappoint you but I'm just me @ Coastal SC. I've learned so much from you that I've been planning my 2nd year now Spring Garden based on your channel
Dale is a good boy! My brindle mix boy Leo checks the perimeter of my yard too. Loves to chase away the rabbits! Thanks for the info on the determinate type of tomato. I looked through my seeds and I only have 2 varieties. Will be growing them next year!
Zone 7b North Carolina , October 1st . I have a Roma with 20 fruits and still flowering . If you can keep disease away , these things keep growing until frost takes them.
I am totally agree with determine tomato's. I had a good big tomato's harvest . On the other hand had good experience from Johnny seed : Nepal indeterminate tomatoes. It's 10ft tall , big tomato's. Next year I will plant that one again.
Here in Pa, the past several summers have been HOT, like in the 90'sF for a great number of days, even reaching 100F a few days. I'm going to have mostly determinates this coming growing season because I've noticed that my indeterminates fizzled out towards the end of summer too. Any remaining fruits had been pitiful little ugly bug eaten fruits. Even with plentiful rain.
Thank you for this good video. I am in the Northern NJ, and I am very happy with my indeterminate tomatoes. I grow three varieties: indeterminate (60%), determinate (30%) and dwarf (10). Together there always between 60-70 plants. Well, by the end of summer the latest, all my determinate and dwarfs are gone. However, most of my indeterminate tomatoes last until November with green lash plants and lots and lots of tomatoes. After that, I cut them with branches and store them in the basement to help them with ripening, and enjoy them until the end of year. I need to say that every year I buy new varieties of tomatoes and don't repeat those that under-performed the previous season. Yet, I agree with you to grow both - indeterminate and determinate for better crops. All of my determinate tomatoes are going into canning, so I will continue doing what's working for me. Thanks again.
James Prigioni is the Tomato Man and MI Gardener is right there with him. Your videos are very helpful. I remember your heirloom days ! I grow more hybrid determinants like celebrity. I had tomatoes the week before Christmas 2022. Planted the tomato plant in March of 2022. I planted 27 tomato plants and of around 11 varieties. The Celebrity there was 2 of the 11 varieties. All other plants went out aside from both celebrities. We have video and pictures documenting 9 months of celebrity GOD willing just kept giving fruit 🍅
I love this channel...my favorite garden channel. My question is of the vining tomatoes, such as Arkansas Traveler, and the bush tomatoes, like Celebrity, are they comparably disease resistant? How many tomatoes per plant on average do you get from each. I suspect that bush tomatoes are more developed for commercial tomato canneries while the vining are more for the small farm or gardener. Just a hunch.
What I’ve found is that it is just the nature of indeterminate tomatoes to be disease-prone. Because it takes indeterminate tomatoes so long to ripen their crop, disease often overwhelms the plants before the tomatoes can all be harvested, so if you live in a rough climate like mine, you lose many of your tomatoes. Determinate tomatoes set much earlier than indeterminate tomatoes, so comparably, you’ll have an entire loaded determinate bush by the time your first two big fruit clusters form on your indeterminate vines. Therefore, by the time disease gets to your determinates, it isn’t a big deal, because you’re already well into ripening your crop. Even if your determinates get infected, you still get a great harvest. Indeterminates are too busy growing vines to be productive for me. While Arkansas Traveler is a GREAT variety, I lost it in late June to wilt. So sad 😭
If you found this video helpful, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS for convenience:
0:00 You've Been Lied To About Determinate Tomatoes!
1:14 Lie #1
2:48 4 Great Tasting Determinate Tomato Varieties
4:08 Lie #2
9:18 Lie #3
11:43 Lie #4
13:22 Square Foot Gardening Tomato Growing Tips
16:20 Adventures With Dale
Curious where you got the huge Sun Shade/Cloth? Just built my own hoop house (sorta) which is an odd size.
Back before I got really into gardening I grew determinant tomatoes. Threw miracle gro on them once a week, did everything "wrong" according to the Internet, and they produced all season until frost. I swear, sometimes ignorance is better.
AGREE 💯 my friend! I have grown Rutgers, Celebrity, Bush Early Girl and Ace 55 for the past 3 years and they ALWAYS outperform my indeterminates 👍🏼 And, my determinate tomato plants consistently produce for MONTHS. All I have to do is keep the fertilizer going and they will keep producing until disease takes them. I love the way you keep it REAL about the struggles with gardening. I live in Hot, Humid Georgia and frankly it’s a pain in the ass to grow tomatoes.
Had no idea....
It’s about the same, here. Really hard to grow tomatoes past Memorial Day. Determinates have changed my life by making the impossible possible. I have no idea how they’ve developed such a negative reputation. They should be the FOUNDATION of our tomato garden, and the indeterminates should be considered the fun play things for kicks and excitement.
@@TheMillennialGardener So true! My Cherry and Determinate tomatoes are most of what I grow, then about 4 Indeterminates. And every year I cuss them and pull them out by mid-July. Growing in heat & humidity is a whole different ball game. It’s a constant battle
@@amyk6028 I've found the same thing. The cherry and roma-type indeterminates will still grow. However, the determinate roma types are just as good. It's really only the cherry indeterminates that are worth the trouble. Honestly, if I were growing strictly for production, I wouldn't grow another indeterminate tomato, but I grow them out of love for the variety. Determinates are just so much more productive and lower maintenance!
@@TheMillennialGardener The Tommie Toe Indeterminate is one that I've grown here in North Central Florida for 4 years now. It's a vigorous and giving plant. Basically my only one still fruiting right now! I haven't grown determinates due to the "myths" so thanks and I'll start adding them as we have a second summer here starting real soon and rainy season will end in Sept plus weather beginning to get cooler as we head to winter. Thanls for the awesome content!
Isn't it wonderful we all have choices? For anyone to say that determinant or indeterminate is the only way to go is just plain being uninformed. Great video to educate.
I haven’t met anyone that mastered how to grow determinate tomatoes and quit growing them! Once you get it, they’re tough to exclude.
@@TheMillennialGardener I think the fact that you grow both types and seemingly know the pros and cons of both lends A LOT of credibility to your video. I will be trying one of the favorite varieties you mentioned in my Wisconsin garden next year. Thanks again!
Very diplomatic. 😊
You didn't convince everyone, but you convinced me. I have a whole new tomato plan for next year.
I'm glad to hear it! I recommend growing both types of tomatoes. The determinate tomatoes make fantastic foundational workhorses for solid protection. They're the "food tomatoes." Indeterminate tomatoes, to me, are "fun tomatoes" and go well in salads since they have more 'interesting' varieties.
Love how true this is! My first ever tomato plants were Tiny Tim (determinant) and they did so well in a large grow bag. Certainly not that “tiny” if you provide sufficiently nutrients and space for the roots to spread. They got me hooked on growing more tomatoes. So the year after, I decided to try out ALL indeterminate varieties (on a proper garden bed this time). After watching all successful stories on the Internet I was so inspired by the strings/ lower&lean method. The plants were pruned to only one main vine each so only one cluster of fruits set at a time. Being heirlooms and all, each clusters gave me 2-3 good size fruits (a few were huge). What I didn’t account for was the limitation of the growing season. By the time the 4-5th flower clusters started setting, rain season hit, hard! The first fruits started ripening up but their flavours were washed away by the excessive rain. Leaves eventually became rotten and the plants started to die back with green fruits still on them. So my hope of having a long lasting tomatoes harvest were shattered. The truth is it doesn’t matter which variety you plant, they will only last as long as the weather/season allows it. I’ve realised that Indeterminate varieties are best suited for a controlled environment like a greenhouse or poly tunnel. Trying out bush varieties this year. Wish me luck!
YOU are literally the reason I'm hooked on growing determinates. I succession plant them constantly.
That’s excellent. There are two types of people: those that love determinate tomatoes, and those that haven’t grown them yet 😂 After many years of wrestling vines, it is nice to have something easy to manage.
I’m going to try this strategy next time.
@@jmaalona you won't regret it! Just make sure you DO NOT prune them. The only foliage that can be removed from determinates are the lowest leaf nodes underneath the first sucker. Anything above that can't stay. Determinates thrive on neglect. Stake them up with Florida weave or a short, strong stake and they'll flourish.
@@area51z63 My indeterminates have been through h3ll this season. Thrips and extremely high UV Index levels.
Only my determinates are thriving. And we eat them to fast to freeze any because we now live in an apartment. Can't grow too many at a time. 😔
@@TheMillennialGardener I never even knew there was a difference... I just plant tomatoes, either seed or plant. Nice to finally know that there IS a difference and now know what to look for.
I tried determinate one year. They were very prolific. You convinced me to raise determinates next year!
Tried determinate this year and never going back- delicious 😋-productive - space saving -and no pruning
Best thing I ever did in the garden!
I only tried this because of your earlier video, thanks you soooo much for the helpful info 🍅🍅🍅🍅
Darling you are a Cutie-pie!!!!!😂👵🏻. Love that you live in my State bc I can count on when to plant something since our climate is the same…..this old lady planted green beans, limas, bell peppers, oh and in containers…Oriental Eggplant….it’s a lot of work for me but I do what I can….my green beans developed a bacterial something and I can’t find where I put my Neem Oil” 🤷🏻♀️….🤣 I direct sowed Tomato Seeds (Romas and Red Delicious) and put too many in the container!!!!! Will never do that again……I tried….Love all your informative videos…..keep up the good work….Gram
InDeterminate grower here! It’s what I’ve always grown! Roma to be specific. I love how fast they grow, I love how they taste even in a sandwich and so much more, and for me I get great harvests! I grew just two plants in a raised bed this year, planted them end of April. They are still producing! I’ve had the most beautiful fruit this year despite this horrible heat, humidity and drought! Every time I try growing indeterminate, including this year, I’m disappointed. Low yields, problems with pests or disease, And way more upkeep than my faithful Romas! So I am so glad you are making this video!!!
What variety of Roma's are they? I didn't know there were determinate ones. I've only found indeterminate ones.
@@lorr.jones8887
Most Romas are determinate. I think Gail was a little cryptic with the first word of her post.
I think the myth of "all at once" comes from farmers who HAVE to harvest all at once with machines. Not all of their tomatoes ripen all at once either they only keep the ripe ones and spread the green ones back onto the field to compost.
Thanks for suggesting Siletz earlier in the year. Just picked the first ripe one and it was very good. 👍🏻
I'm glad you enjoyed Siletz! It's a very special tomato.
Wow! I am def. going to try growing determinant tomatoes! Thank you! This year (my first garden) I found that I can grow a garden and get produce from it. Lots of mistakes along the way, and it still grew. I honestly didn't think it would. But I tried. I hoped. I prayed. It grew. 😊 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ There is So much to learn about gardening, and it's so much fun. Hard work at first, but def. A lot of fun. Thank you for sharing your love of gardening, and teaching us how to garden.
Great job starting a garden! That's excellent. I've been in the garden since diapers, and I still make mistakes all the time. When I moved from the Northeast to the South, I had to learn all over again! Just remember, there are no such thing as failures, only learning experiences. You only fail if you give up and quit. Every year, things go wrong. Learn from them, and try another angle next year. Every year, they'll get better and better. Start slow, and every year, add a few more things. Don't forget to try a fruit tree or two. They grow themselves and produce for a lifetime!
that hard work never goes away..just gets (hopefully) more efficient. plus hard work feels good. Great job on your first garden and happy gardening!
Celebrity was one of the first tomatoes I ever grew. It had just come out as an AAS winner and I read about it in the old Organic Gardening magazine and ordered some seeds. It performed fantastically.
I worked on a farm from Age 11-17 back in the late 90's/early 2000's. All the farmer grew was Celebrity. No other varieties. They were split-proof, produced like crazy, every one was picture-perfect. People would drive from Pennsylvania to our farm in NJ to buy them.
I agree a person should grow both. Look at your climate and your growing season. If you plan carefully you can have a very long harvest season
Thank you for debunking these myths. Of the tomatoes I have grown from seed the determinate plants have done best. The heat this year has been brutal on all crops but especially my tomatoes.
I learn alot from you,thanks.
Great advice. It validated my experience with tomatoes. You rock. I appreciate how informative you are my dude! Thank you! From TX
Amazing information for your area!! You do a great service by making these videos. I’m in Newfoundland and indeterminate tomatoes are much more productive where I live. Our summers hit 30 degrees Celsius fairly consistently and we have a humidity that hovers around 75%. My tomatoes last from May to late September with disease starting to happen in late September. Determinate tomatoes don’t nearly yield as much here (maybe about 1/3). This video is giving me some great knowledge even though it doesn’t apply to us. But I imagine this is incredibly helpful to everyone in your zone.
This is exactly what im looking for. I grow tomatoes in pots on the deck. I think I have a new plan next year. Get a determine plant and once it gets big enough clone a sucker or 2 every few weeks in spring. Thank you for this.
I grew up in NW PA and my grandparents grew a huge garden every year, which I helped to plant and harvest. I moved to south TX a very long time ago but haven't grown a garden. Last fall, I decided to grow a container garden in my small backyard using vertical planters. Planted mid-Oct expecting to grow a fairly decent garden. It was a bust. This past spring I added grow bags and planted mid-April. Seeds germinated well and everything was growing. Then the 100°+ temps started early May, and my garden just didn't do well with the heat. I learned the hot TX sun can scorch the leaves quickly. I am definitely going to use 50% shade cloth next summer. I found good planting schedules for my area and am going to use them to plan next year's container garden. Hopefully, I will be more successful. I always enjoy watching your channel and have learned many beneficial gardening tips. Thanks for sharing with us.
In north AL, we planted our tomatoes on the east side of the house--- right up against the wall.
It was shaded after 2pm and we had a very very good harvest and healthy plants. That was in 2007
I live in AZ and it’s very difficult to grow tomatoes here because they don’t set fruit in the heat. I’m using 40% shade cloth, but next year I’ll install drip irrigation, and hopefully, it’ll help.
I have been growing determinate tomatoes and other crops this year. I also have found that hybrid versions are much more rewarding too. I enjoy the videos.
Thank you! You may also be interested in looking at Dwarf Tomato Project varieties. They are not particularly disease resistant, but they're fun to mess with early in the season. The fruits are fantastic.
It’s been the reverse for us this year, low production on the determinates but huge continuing harvests for the indeterminates. Slowing a bit now but plants are still going strong! I have been spraying weekly with a diluted baking soda solution and disease has been kept under control. One interesting variety we are growing is “Candyland” which is a currant type, hundreds of very small sweet fruits. Give this a try. On your suggestion I have started some tomatoes for (hopefully) a late fall harvest. Wish us luck!
I've learned so much from you. Like that you can't leave a cucumber to turn yellow. As for tomatoes, I keep hearing that they're full of lectins? Only the peel and seeds... I thought determinate meant it doesn't get leggie and indeterminate grow and grow all over the place. Anyway it's a crap shoot here, I feed my chickens tomatoes and I have tomatoes growing everywhere. 😌 I have so many roots,to see something growing in the ground..I sometimes top off my indeterminate, pick the suckers( if I see them) it's hard to find determinate tomatoes I look at the tag. But I didn't know to not prune them.. a BIG Thankyou to you!
This is my first year with determinate. I'm growing several dwarf varias well. This was great, I had heard those myths as well, and wasn't interested in determinate because of that.
I'm in Southern Ontario and the dwarfs have worked great, I can start them indfs in January and they're manageable until April when they grow in the greenhouse.
I'm growing marglobe for the first time this year, I've only gotten so far, but it was tasty. Thanks for the info.
I agree as well! I grew both determinates and indeterminates this year and they have been just as productive and still going. The determinates were a little smaller plants but other than that they produce just as long as the indeterminates in Georgia
. Red Snapper has big beautiful beefsteak size tomatoes and the plants are still going.
I grew Bella Rosa determinate tomatoes this year and they produced abundantly I was very pleased with the flavor and crack resistance.
They're definitely amazing tomatoes. Are they as good as Brandywine Sudduth? Of course now, but you'll get 3 times the tomatoes on that little 36 inch tall bush than you'll get on a 7' Brandywine vine and they'll all be perfect and never crack. I'll say they're 80% as good as a Brandywine and on par with Big Beef without the trouble.
I am enjoying all of your videos. "It pays to have a Dale" just made me smile. I have an Ollie, (a rescue from a reservation) and we feel the same. Our Ollie is our cherished king of his castle. Thank you for all of your great videos!
My indeterminate varieties did great this year, but the determinate variety not so much. I believe the mistake I made, other than getting a bit of a late start, was buying plants that had fruit on them already.
Amen. Your deterinate posts have confermed my lived xperience. I am 64 yrs. Old and have just recently been converted to this message. Hoping your info will help up and comming gardeners alongthelearning curve sooner. GOOD JOB
Wow, another great video. You are such a wealth of information😊👍. This is the first year I have had a garden and I ended up getting both kinds of tomatoes. I must say, the determinants are much easier for his senior citizen to handle. Honestly, when I bought the starts (not brave enough to try seeds yet) I didn’t understand the difference between the two…but I’ve learned so much from your videos that have helped along the way. Thank you!
For the past 3+ decades I lived and grew indeterminate tomatoes in northern California a few miles outside Napa in near-perfect conditions. I'd start seeds in our sunroom in January, transplant in March, shade in June, and harvest beautiful tomatoes until November's or December's frosts. It was like a textbook case for indeterminates. Then I retired to the Piedmont of North Carolina and tried the same varieties. Oops, big mistake...HUGE! Now I'm looking for some Celebrity starts so I'm not hopelessly behind, and succession plant them. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Dwarf determinates are amazing, you can plant 3 together and get a really nice bush full of tomatoes and it grows to a maximum hight of 50 cm, outside of some small support they dont require any work.
I live in Winston-Salem, NC. Last year I grew some tiny treats tomatoes and I had a great harvest. I also grew some beefsteak tomatoes the last two years, I did not have a great harvest. The tiny treats was not much work and they were great for my environment. I glad I watched this video. This year I will be growing determined tomatoes this year.
The Tasmanian Chocolate variety from Johnny's seeds is a tasty one to grow👍 I actually love determinate tomatoes because I can grow then on my deck. They stay compact and still give you great tomatoes. But you are right about determinate varieties not being very common. I don't really see very many when buying my seeds online so thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely try Siletz, Bella Rosa, Celebrity or Marblobe next year🙂... Or maybe all of them 😄
Really good video. Gave me a whole new way to look at determinate vs indeterminates. And I also agree about Bella Rosa and Celebrity. Down here in Florida they are practically bullet proof. I like Celebrity a bit better, as I get larger tomatoes, but both are great varieties, for the reasons you mentioned.
I think Bella Rosa is sort of an "updated" version of Celebrity that is more perfect looking and productive. Celebrity gives you 90% perfect looking tomatoes, but you can tell it's a bit of an older strain. That being said, I agree, Celebrity is better tasting. Celebrity is king of the F1 determinates.
I live in Jersey and just pulled out my indeterminate plants and planted Tiny Tim determinate seeds. I plant only in containers and it's my first year gardening, so everything is an experiment for me. I hope I have more success with the Tiny Tim determinates than I had with the beefsteak indeterminates. Thanks for another very informative video!
You're welcome! I recommend looking into Celebrity and Bella Rosa if you want the "easiest to grow" beefsteaks. They are tough plants.
You're on a roll! Love it! Truth be told! I am in Central Florida and I am harvesting sun golds right now and they are pushing seven feet, and just getting started. Who wants to get on a ladder to pick that high anyway? So, if I pinch the top of these plants, will they grow more fruit sets lower down on the horizontal branches?
Last year (2022) my Determinate Romas were going strong all summer, with less disease. As the nights were getting down to the 40s and everything from our summer sowing had died, Romas were still producing fruit. I pulled all the large green ones before pulling the plant (so I could seed my fall garden).
The green Romas were still nice, firm & red sitting on my kitchen counter. We ate the last one in January!!
I always grow Rutgers, Romas & Celebrities.
Thanks for another great video!
I agree, I had determinate tomatoes planted in September, highly productive through two freezes, removed them in March to replaced with new ones. I love determinate.
I agree with you 500%! I am a gardener that observes the plants behavior rather than listen to every gardener and all you are talking about is what I learned.
Really appreciate how you stack your vids like your garden -- no wasted time or space. High yield vids!
Awesome update & I agree 100%. I tried siletz this year because you suggested it & thank you. Enjoying them. Good boy Dale. Hope he got an extra treat for finding the critters. 😉
You make a very convincing argument for having determinate tomatoes. I’m convinced!!
I recommend giving them a shot, but with the understanding that they must be treated very differently than indeterminates. They must be staked and not pruned. Never remove suckers, or you won't get a good harvest. Determinates thrive on neglect. You'll still want to do some due diligence with fungicides and pesticides if you have that issue in your climate, but the less you touch the plants, the better in general.
Well, now I’m really intrigued. I’m not much of a tomato gardener but decided to try three varieties of determinant tomatoes for the first time this year. Since I didn’t get them started until mid-June, I’m still waiting for the results. I decided to try determinant varieties for the first time in the hopes that the smaller plant size would help make me more successful. Your video has made me look forward to trying the actual tomatoes. Thanks for your info. I’ve subscribed and will go back and watch other videos. I’ve got a lot to learn.
I'm just getting started in this planting journey so I'm totally open minded. I realy don't understand someone getting upset about diverse opinions. I take the advise for what it is worth to me and say thank you then do my thing with or without the advise. Thanks to ALL the channels that guide me with my best Interest at heart. They share with no requirement of payment . God bless you all❤
Thank you for the video brother. I will grow more determinates this season. I can argue with your data because you present honest truth IMHO. I only grew early girls in memory of my ex-wife grandfather , who massive plants.
100% agree. For the first 3 years of my gardening career, I've gone for indeterminate only growing one determinate (Carolina Gold) which had blossom end rot issues (potted plant) each time I grew that variety and it turned me off vs indeterminate. However, last year I grew a Mountain Merit hybrid that was super productive, allowed me to succession plant up here in Southern Ontario, and was resistant to the "early" late blight that hit and eventual took out my indeterminate by late August. The yield was better, the plant was far more compact, and the taste was sensational. Obviously, I still like growing indeterminate predominantly for the funky varieties/specific cherry tomatoes that do exceptionally well, but your video definitely persuaded me to grow more of a 50/50 split of indeterminate and determinate and thus far when we've been dealing with 100% humidity nights in the 60s and upwards of 110F sticky spells, the determinate varieties are far more stable and productive. Thanks for the advice on the topic and for all the videos you put out, it's a wealth of knowledge.
I kept indeterminate over the winter here in Charleston, SC in a small green house I built but I have to listen to a tomato grower from Jersey. I'm going to try some 👍deternimate right now. I have just enough time.
Without knowing anything about gardening I inadvertently grew determinate varieties for years. This year I decided to get serious about it and took all the internet advice to get indeterminate varieties, and what a freaking nightmare lol. It doesn't help that we've had a completely atypical year weather wise but I still just like the ease of growing determinates. I'm definitely going back to the determinates!
Love the video...I too grow both determinate and indeterminate tomato plants and my determinate tomato plants outperform my indeterminate tomato plants funny thing both in my garden beds and amazing in 25 gallon buckets...so really appreciate your videos and I am willing to try some of your tomato variety recommendations! All the best to you and Dale!
This year 2024 I went determinate all the way they seem to be easier to grow here in Georgia thanks for this video it made a lot of sense
Hi from the SanFrancisco east Bay Area. I have a couple of 8x4 ft raised beds that are fully enclosed so I have been trying dwarf tomatoes with only moderate success. This year I planted Siltez, Stupice, Patio, and Super Bush. I am happy to hear your endorsement of Siltez. I learned a lot from your video and I’m glad I have pruned my plants yet.
I love Roma and Rutgers, both determinate. I also love indeterminate Early Girl, Cherokee Purple, Carmello, and Brandywine Red tomatoes, not to mention Sweet 100 and Sun Gold Cherry tomatoes. I try Beefsteak every year but only get a couple unless we are having El Nino. I live in Seattle. Usually my determinates stop fruiting first. Cherokee Purple would be perfect for Millennial Gardener.
This year I am only growing determinant and dwarf tomatoes. I NEVER was able to keep up with prunning and staking and now that I'm losing my sight it's almost impossible. I grew one determinant and 6 dwarfs last year and I'm hooked! No more "jungle" tomatoes that I can't tame and keep where they are supposed to be! I'm glad I.saw your video from last fall showing how good the determinants did. That along with seeing how good my one plant was doing convinced me.
Appreciate these words. Tried a few determinate tomatoes last year and found what you say to be true! Will be growing many more this year!
Thank you for this video! I have grown several determinate cherry tomato varieties indoors in a hydroponic setting, and in my experience they can continue to produce indefinitely in the absence of disease and environmental pressures. They kind of look like they’re about to die after each harvest, but as soon as you pick all the fruits they go right back into foliage and flower production.
I love, Love, LOVE my deterinants and dwarf tomatoes". I'll never go back to the jungle tomatoes. They are hardy, the plants are smaller, but not the tomatoes, NO prunning and they are delicious! And I don't have to have a 6 foot cage for them. This year I had 8 determinant and dwarf plants plants in containers (and 2 volunteer dwargs in my raised bed). Now I'm trying to find out if I can clone them and keep in the house over the winter to get a head start in May when I can plant them. Don't see any info on that so I will just try it and see.
👍, I didn't know my 2 determinate tomatoes were so, & I pruned😢 but, amazingly, still have a few product coming😊 thanks, love them!
I really like determinate because the space savings. I tried the mini tomato plant this year and I enjoy that one also.
I live in Salem Oregon now for eight years and was raised in San Diego, in Cali you can grow tomatoes because of the weather, but here it’s a little more challenging I have grown indeterminate Tom’s and labored endlessly cutting them back and vining them and not getting much harvest! This year I’m growing way more determinate tomatoes! Thanks so much for your advice. You can’t buy a good tomato here during the season not like in Cali So I’m looking forward to changing with your experience thanks again! Tommy G.
Great video, thank you! We've sold our house and are moving in a month so couldn't plant my tomatoes in the yard this year. I have 2 plots in a community garden that I want to put tomatoes in but can't provide the proper vining trellis that I usually use for indeterminate tomatoes. I want to try determinite tomotoes for the first time. You've given me confidence that I can and might actually do better (here in southern Ontario we end up with humidity issues, and it sounds like the determinite might do better for us anyway.) It's going to be a great experiment!
I am growing a bunch of determinants this year for the first time. So far so good.
I ordered a bunch more of the Dwarf tomato project varieties earlier this season. Bella Rosa was definitely a winner for me last year. I forgot to sow any this year. Red Snapper was very similar to Bella Rosa.
Everything Hoss recommends is tough. Their climate is just like mine, so if it grows for them, I know I can handle it 😀
I only grow determinant tomatoes due to space limitations. Thanks for the list of varieties you like. I'm growing Celebriry here in Georgia, but I'll try some of the others next year.
You are spot on. I am from southeastern Pennsylvania in Bucks County and this year the heat has really done a job on my tomatoes but the only ones standing now are the determinant tomatoes which are thriving still. I think I’m going to start growing a lot more determinate and cut down on the indeterminate because I have much more success with the determinate tomatoes. Thanks again for a terrific video!
Here in CT, I've only had success with Determinate, Inds have produced, but poorly. The Determinates give me sooo many that I freeze & can a ton & still give away a bunch. 1 determinate will produce MORE than 3 Inds.
I have both, and I was planning next year to go all determinant. I love the fact that they stay smaller than my indeterminant and they are so much less work. I agree with every point you made. Thank you for the video.
I still grow mostly indeterminate, but that's because I'm a hobbyist/enthusiast. If I were growing strictly for production and food storage, I'd grow all determinates and not waste my time with indeterminates other than cherry types. Determinates just produce so much more food per square foot!
This is my 1st year of adding determinate varieties, and they have been healthier and more productive than the indeterminate tomatoes I planted. Already planning for next year with more determinates that I’m going to add.
I am adding in determinates at this point in the season shooting for mid-Sept ripening. I added this video to my Tomato Playlist. You didn't have to sell me, but you did a good job of sell the point.
I’ve always hated growing bigger indeterminate tomatoes cause they die so fast. Will be trying determinate next year.
I think you'll enjoy them. They're a lot less work for the food.
Thank you so much you just ancered all my problems with growing tomatoes. My Mom and Dad have been gone a long time . I remember they just planted the tomatoes in a row no stakes just some kind of line and let them grow so many tomatoes clear up till frost they were the best tasting. Now thanks to you. I know what to do. I am learning a lot from you. Thanks again!
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful! Determinate tomatoes still benefit from some support. However, it's a lot simpler than indeterminate types.
I agree. Celebrity tomatoes are fantastic and do well here in Houston. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any plants early enough for this area. By July tomatoes are pretty much done here but Sun Golds will last the longest.
You convinced me. I'll try determinates this upcoming season for the first time.
They're much easier to manage and grow. Just remember that determinate varieties should *not* be pruned. Stake them when young and let them grow.
My yard doesn't get great sunlight because a next door building casts a shadow on it for several hours a day. The indeterminates that I grow barely produce fruit (except for the indeterminate cherry tomatoes which does produce some). The determines that I grow produce so many more tomatoes that I probably won't grow indeterminates again (except for the cherry varieties). Thanks a lot for the Siletz variety recommendation - I tried them this year and I am really happy that I did! I finally have a tomato harvest (despite the lower amount of sunlight)! Next year I am going to grow some Red Deuce determinates to see how they do as well.
Our local deer really love my determinant to my tomatoes. I am devastated they stole my first real red tomato the night before my planned pick! I’m so determined I dug them up and moved inside my lanai in 5 gal buckets to save fruit for us. From Tampa Fl thanks for your advice, I’ve learned a ton
So true. I have both determinate and indeterminate tomatoes and some are doing FANTASTIC this year while others are not. It's all about trial and error to see which varieties of each grow best in your climate and soil type. And of course ones that taste good to you. Thanks for the informative video.
You've changed my mind, in England the growing season is short and good weather is sporadic, succeion planting sounds like the best solution.
Determinates will perform better, in general, than indeterminates in the UK. Indeterminate cherry types will do well in the UK, but determinates will be more reliable in general.
First time gardener this year and I bought several indeterminate and 1 Roma determinate and so far the Roma has been the easiest! So good to know foe next year!
Thanks for this information, former Jersey girl here now in Tennessee and you are so right about the ease of growing tomatoes up there, I haven't had a garden in years so I decided to do containers before I go all out with raised beds, all of my determinant Roma and San Marzano seeds are growing strong so Im looking forward to harvesting them for sauce ...Where did you get your seeds from I would like to try them. I purchased 7 gallon containers hope they're large enough
Thank you in advance.
This year I grew four types of indeterminates. We have enough to eat and I have frozen four quarts. I really wanted to can lots of tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. I do have green foliage and some blossoms but who knows if we’ll get much more fruit. One San Mariano gigante 3 has two small tomatoes on it. You don’t believe how hard I have worked and how diligent I have been spraying baking soda, hydrogen peroxide etc to keep the disease and insects at bay. I had already decided to grow determinates next year for sauce and limit my indeterminates to German strawberry. That’s my favorite tomato of all time. Your video is very helpful. Thank you
Great info. I always planted indeterminate San Marzano just because I loved the flavor and they're great for sauces. Then I couldn't find seeds, so I opted for a determinate Roma. Later, I found the seeds and now will grow both.
This makes me feel better about my current tomato situation. Several determinate, 5 or so “big boy ” indeterminate and only I think 2 super sweet 100 indeterminate. And now I have bought more seeds I’ll start now for later season or in pots if I want to use shade
Thank you for this! I am tired of chasing the tips and trying to keep indeterminates balanced in my deck pots! No more tomato jungle! I was well pleased with the determinate I had last year. This year only a few plus a few cherries. More varieties of veg and flowers instead.
This year I tried few determined tomatoes and most of them are very productive, where I have indetermined tomates with less than they have. So I will check their taste and in case I like it they will find a place in my garden next year.
Nice work. I’m from Philadelphia trying to get used to Vero Beach growing. Gonna try the determinate.
You've convinced me to grow more determinate tomatoes! Out of a dozen plants I grew this year, the only ones still alive are two determinates.
I'm happy the video could be helpful! Determinate tomatoes are amazing. They're workhorses!
I garden on a small balcony and I grow determinate tomatoes. However, every year I have loads of indeterminate volunteers. Thank you for sharing this info. BTW- I currently LIVE in the PNW so I'm sure you know which tomato I find from my local farmer's market to grow! I had one plant I brought in 4 years in a row and grew under a strong grow light during the winter that produced just fine.
you are exactly correct! I always grew determant tomatoes for the 30 years I gardened in PA--which like u said is ideal for growing them. 2 years ago I moved to Texas and when I started gardening I planted indeterminant tomatoes in the spring and the vines grew but no tomatoes until fall! I quickly learned growing tomatoes in TX is totally different than in PA! This year I planted both types. No tomatoes yet on the indeterminate plants but had lots of production from the determinate plants until it got too hot--it has been averaging over 100 every day for 2 months! I did put a shade cloth over them and it helped a little but they are no longer producing and starting to die but the indeterminates are still growing--so I expect tomatoes to start producing when temps start going down and should produce through December. Thanks for your informative videos!
I had the same problem when I moved from PA to NC. It was a whole new world of challenges. I found that I do best when I actually start my tomatoes slightly BEFORE last chance of frost and protect them. That way, I can get a jump start. The key is to make sure you're loaded with flowers by April 15. That way, you have a solid 30 days of reasonable temps to set fruit before it gets too hot. I'll be using additional shade cloth as well to beat the heat. This video may help for next season: ua-cam.com/video/IkNczi2K-lU/v-deo.html
Plant as early as you can in Texas… I start my seeds inside , right after Christmas
Thanks for the input. I'm growing a crop of plumb tomatoes for the first time and they are much heavier with fruit than all but one of my indeterminate breeds. Too much heat this summer for some of my favorite slicing tomatoes, and some blight(?) but I'm more than happy with the new plot growing in last year's wood chips without a raised-bed. Squash too, although the volunteer pumpkin hybrids I could have done without.
Good job Dale😊 My 2 boys (dogs) do same every morning- come with Mom and check the vegetables and perimeter check. This video came at great time with a wealth of information as I'm planning this spring garden. Thank you again for all your insight and clear to point video
Are you located in Australia? I'm curious, since you mentioned planning for spring! Thank you for watching!
@@TheMillennialGardener sorry to disappoint you but I'm just me @ Coastal SC. I've learned so much from you that I've been planning my 2nd year now Spring Garden based on your channel
I'm 51 and just discovered YT during c19. My first experience was with "Self Sufficient Me" in Australia..
Thank you so much, for the excellent points made. It will help a lot next growing season. Thanks also for sharing some of your favorite determinates.
You're welcome! I'm glad I can help point you in the right direction!
Dale is a good boy! My brindle mix boy Leo checks the perimeter of my yard too. Loves to chase away the rabbits! Thanks for the info on the determinate type of tomato. I looked through my seeds and I only have 2 varieties. Will be growing them next year!
Zone 7b North Carolina , October 1st . I have a Roma with 20 fruits and still flowering . If you can keep disease away , these things keep growing until frost takes them.
I am totally agree with determine tomato's. I had a good big tomato's harvest . On the other hand had good experience from Johnny seed : Nepal indeterminate tomatoes. It's 10ft tall , big tomato's. Next year I will plant that one again.
Here in Pa, the past several summers have been HOT, like in the 90'sF for a great number of days, even reaching 100F a few days. I'm going to have mostly determinates this coming growing season because I've noticed that my indeterminates fizzled out towards the end of summer too. Any remaining fruits had been pitiful little ugly bug eaten fruits.
Even with plentiful rain.
Thank you for this good video. I am in the Northern NJ, and I am very happy with my indeterminate tomatoes. I grow three varieties: indeterminate (60%), determinate (30%) and dwarf (10). Together there always between 60-70 plants. Well, by the end of summer the latest, all my determinate and dwarfs are gone. However, most of my indeterminate tomatoes last until November with green lash plants and lots and lots of tomatoes. After that, I cut them with branches and store them in the basement to help them with ripening, and enjoy them until the end of year. I need to say that every year I buy new varieties of tomatoes and don't repeat those that under-performed the previous season. Yet, I agree with you to grow both - indeterminate and determinate for better crops. All of my determinate tomatoes are going into canning, so I will continue doing what's working for me. Thanks again.
James Prigioni is the Tomato Man and MI Gardener is right there with him. Your videos are very helpful. I remember your heirloom days ! I grow more hybrid determinants like celebrity. I had tomatoes the week before Christmas 2022. Planted the tomato plant in March of 2022. I planted 27 tomato plants and of around 11 varieties. The Celebrity there was 2 of the 11 varieties. All other plants went out aside from both celebrities. We have video and pictures documenting 9 months of celebrity GOD willing just kept giving fruit 🍅
Thanks for the pro and cons to both types. Good helpful video.
Couldn't agree more with this video. A smart take on reality when it comes to growing tomatoes. Thanks for sharing.
I love this channel...my favorite garden channel. My question is of the vining tomatoes, such as Arkansas Traveler, and the bush tomatoes, like Celebrity, are they comparably disease resistant? How many tomatoes per plant on average do you get from each. I suspect that bush tomatoes are more developed for commercial tomato canneries while the vining are more for the small farm or gardener. Just a hunch.
What I’ve found is that it is just the nature of indeterminate tomatoes to be disease-prone. Because it takes indeterminate tomatoes so long to ripen their crop, disease often overwhelms the plants before the tomatoes can all be harvested, so if you live in a rough climate like mine, you lose many of your tomatoes.
Determinate tomatoes set much earlier than indeterminate tomatoes, so comparably, you’ll have an entire loaded determinate bush by the time your first two big fruit clusters form on your indeterminate vines. Therefore, by the time disease gets to your determinates, it isn’t a big deal, because you’re already well into ripening your crop. Even if your determinates get infected, you still get a great harvest.
Indeterminates are too busy growing vines to be productive for me. While Arkansas Traveler is a GREAT variety, I lost it in late June to wilt. So sad 😭