Looking to plant tomatoes in North Carolina this year? Wondering which variety is best for your garden? Check out our list of the best tomatoes to grow in NC based on climate and growing conditions!
Whether you’re looking for a juicy heirloom or a hearty beefsteak, we’ve got you covered. So read on to find the perfect tomato variety for your garden!
What To Consider In Picking A Variety To Plant
Picking the right plant variety is essential to having a healthy and bountiful garden. Here are a few things to consider when making your selection:
Fruit Size
There are many different types of tomatoes, and they can be classified in several ways. One way to classify them is by the size of the fruit they produce. The smallest type of tomato is the grape tomato, which gets its name from its small size and round shape.
Grape tomatoes are not only cute, but they are also very productive and easy to grow. Another small variety is the cherry tomato, which produces small fruits in long clusters.
Cherry tomatoes are also very reliable and productive, making them a great choice for any gardener; favorites include ‘Sweet Million,’ ‘Super Sweet 100,’ and ‘Juliet.’ However, any type of cherry tomato will thrive in your garden.
Determinate Or Indeterminate
One way to classify tomatoes is by how the plants grow and produce. Determinate varieties stop growing once they reach full size, usually three to four feet tall. As a result, plants set all their fruit at once, bearing over four to five weeks, and then are done.
Most modern hybrids are determinate. Indeterminate varieties, on the other hand, continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the entire growing season. These plants can reach up to six or seven feet tall and may require support from cages or stakes.
Heirloom varieties are also available and tend to fall between determinate and indeterminate plants in terms of growth habits.
Best Tomatoes to Grow in NC
Here are the 7 best tomatoes to grow in NC.
Roma Tomatoes
There are wide tomato varieties to choose from when planting in North Carolina, but Roma Tomatoes are an excellent option. Unlike other varieties, Roma Tomatoes are not as susceptible to the warmer temperatures and humidity that are common in the state.
They also have a much higher yield than other tomatoes, meaning you can get more tomatoes from each plant. In addition, Roma Tomatoes are much easier to grow than other types of tomatoes, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners.
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-grow tomato variety to plant in North Carolina, Roma Tomatoes are a great option.
Better Boy
Better Boy tomatoes are resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and root-knot nematodes, making them one of the most popular tomatoes in Southern gardens. The spherical, firm fruit is ideal for sandwiches and salads weighing up to 1 pound. All summer long, the plants will produce.
Better Boy tomatoes are an excellent choice for any gardener, but they are especially well-suited to those in North Carolina.
Celebrity
Tomato lovers rejoice! The Celebrity tomato is a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety that thrives in North Carolina’s warm climate. This bright red tomato is perfect for slicing and adding to salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
And with an average size of six ounces, celebrity tomatoes are just the right size for snacking. Thanks to its disease resistance, the Celebrity tomato is a low-maintenance variety ideal for busy gardeners.
Super Sweet 100
One variety that is well-suited to the state’s climate is the Super Sweet 100. This tomato is known for its high sugar content, which gives it a delicious sweetness that is perfect for snacks and salads.
The Super Sweet 100 is also prolific, producing an abundance of small, round fruit. Regarding disease resistance, the Super Sweet 100 is fairly resistant to common problems like blossom end rot and early blight. This variety can provide a bumper crop of tasty tomatoes with proper care.
Cherokee Purple
This heirloom tomato is known for its rich flavor, producing large, dark fruit that is perfect for slicing. Cherokee Purple is also relatively tolerant of heat and humidity, making it a good choice for gardens in the southeastern United States.
Cherokee Purple is a great option if you’re looking for a tomato that will add some color to your salads or sandwiches. The fruits of this variety range from dark green to deep purple, and they have a rich, earthy flavor that is sure to please.
Green Zebra Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a delicious and unusual tomato to add to your garden, you might want to try planting green zebra tomatoes. As the name suggests, these tomatoes are green, with yellow or light green stripes.
They’re small, averaging only about two inches in diameter. But don’t let their size fool you – they’re packed with flavor, with a slightly acidic taste that is perfect for salads or salsa. Green zebra tomatoes are also quite versatile – you can use them in any recipe for tomatoes.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are small, edible fruit, typically red or yellow. The fruits are soft and have a juicy texture, with a sweet flavor that makes them popular in salads, pasta dishes, and as a snack.
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most popular varieties of tomato to grow in North Carolina. The fruits are easy to care for and require little maintenance. They can be planted in home gardens and commercial fields, and they typically produce a good yield with proper care.
There are wide varieties of cherry tomatoes, so growers can choose the type that best suits their needs. Some of the most popular varieties include ‘Rutgers,’ ‘Juliet,’ and ‘Sun Gold.’ With so many different types to choose from, there is sure to be a cherry tomato that will thrive in any North Carolina garden.
Best tomatoes to grow in NC: Conclusion
So, there you have it! These are some of the best tomato varieties to plant in North Carolina, depending on what you’re looking for.
Whether you want a juicy heirloom to slice up for sandwiches or a tart cherry tomato to pop in your mouth, there’s an NC-friendly variety out there for you.
Related Article: A Guide to Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes