Choosing among these varieties is partly a matter of personal taste and experience, although there are also some important cultural considerations. Seed catalogs usually list a number beside each variety. This is an approximation, the actual time will depend on your local growing conditions. The number should be used as a guide for choosing early, mid-season, and late varieties. Varieties are also identified as being determinate, semi-determinate, and indeterminate.
Determinate plants produce many short branches ending in flower clusters with a very brief harvest.
They are seldom used in the garden except as early varieties, since most people want a long harvest season. Indeterminate plants are large, and will continue to grow all season long. They may grow more than 6 feet tall if given support and produce fruit until frost. Semi-determinate varieties are more compact than indeterminate plants but will also produce heavy crops until frost. For the home gardener, semi-determinate and indeterminate varieties are usually recommended for long continuous harvests.