With the development of new varieties and the rediscovery of many wonderful heirlooms, there probably is a tomato suitable for everyone. The choices can be overwhelming. Here in Minnesota, one of the most important considerations is to choose a tomato that will ripen in our short growing season. Every seed packet or plant tag should indicate the average number of days from the time the tomato is transplanted until you have ripe fruit. Our growing season for tender plants isn't often much longer than 100 days, allowing us to grow early and mid-season varieties.
Tomatoes come in almost every color of the rainbow.
While you will always want to grow lots of red tomatoes, don't hesitate to tuck in a few that will bear yellow, orange, striped, or even green fruits. Size can vary from bite-size cherries like Sweet 100 to Beefsteaks that weigh in at more than a pound each. They sure do. Growing our own tomatoes affords us the luxury of being able to choose the best tasting tomato around, since we don't have to worry about growing a variety that can be picked, handled, stored, shipped and displayed before reaching the table. The varieties offered on seed racks and in garden centers are good tasting tomatoes.