If this is going to be your first year growing tomatoes, I'll give you some information that will simplify your decision. First, you need to know what you plan on using the tomatoes for. Will you be canning? Making ketchup? Giving some away to neighbors or the local nursing homes? Or do you just want some for fresh eating during the summer?
If you just want a limited supply for maybe salads or slicers, you can grow the small cherry tomatoes which mature earlier or maybe one regular sized tomato plant. If you're only going to grow one or two plants, you have the choice of digging a small plot or raising them in a pot. If you raise them in a pot, good potting soil is important and I recommend Miracle Grow potting soil. Also, if you raise your tomato plants in a pot, remember that you'll have to water more frequently so if your away for a few days during hot weather, you'll need to arrange for someone to water them. If allowed to go dry even for a short period, it will stress the plant and affect the quality and quantity of the tomatoes that you get.
If you're like me and you want plenty of tomatoes all summer long for fresh eating, canning and giving to friends and family, then there are many varieties you can grow. First, you need to decide if you want to raise determinate plants or indeterminate plants. Determinate varieties grow kind of bushy and low to the ground so they don't need to be staked. The important thing about determinate tomato plants is that they bloom once and then the tomatoes will ripen over about a 3 week span and that's all the tomatoes that you'll get for the season. Some people prefer determinate plants because they can do all their canning over a short period and be done with it. Indeterminate plants, on the other hand, will grow, bloom and produce tomatoes all summer right up until frost. Indeterminate plants get very big (see the 2011 tomato crop post) and require a substantial cage to support them. If you purchase your plants, make sure you look at the small plastic stake that should come in the pot to identify if the plant is determinate or indeterminate. If it doesn't say, ask someone at the garden center. If you're going to raise your plants from seed, make sure you check the catalog information for that seed or check the seed packet for the type of plant. If you want indeterminate plants but purchase determinate plants by mistake, you'll be very disappointed.
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| Big Beef |
Concerning varieties, it's overwhelming. I have experimented over the past 40 years and found that some of the best indeterminate varieties are Big Boy, Better Boy and Big girl. About 10 years ago I tried a variety called Big Beef (VFFNT) and I've used it ever since. They are hardy, disease resistant and unbelievably productive (see 2011 tomato crop post). I purchase my Big Beef Tomato seed from Gurney's because I know they are best quality and always have 100% germination. For a determinate variety, Celebrity is a very popular choice. Any of these are great for fresh eating and canning. If you want to try making your own tomato paste or ketchup, Roma is best known. 
If you know someone that raises tomatoes, ask them which ones they like and why. Also, if you have room, try several different varieties and soon you discover your favorites.
For more information, visit my website http://www.rmarketplaceonline.com/raisingtomatoes.html
Sharing my experiences to help you with yours!
Tomato Rog
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