There’s nothing quite as satisfying for a New England gardener as pulling a perfectly ripe, juicy tomato from the vine and feeling its weight against your hand. As these sunny summer months continue, there are a few ways to ensure the health of your tomato plants for a bountiful harvest all season long.
The type of care your tomato plant will require depends on whether it is a determinate (bush) or indeterminate (vining) variety. The two differ mostly in size and timing of fruit production. Determinates grow to a certain height, stop growing, and then flower and produce fruit – typically only once. These varieties are a great choice if your intention is to cook with tomatoes in bulk or if you’re limited on space.
Vining tomatoes continue to grow foliage, flower, and bear fruit until the first frost. These varieties tend to require more care, but they promise a steady harvest throughout the season. They grow to be bigger than bush varieties, and can reach well over six feet.
