If you’ve never experienced the exquisite taste of a freshly-picked, sun-warmed tomato straight off the vine, then you’re seriously missing out. There’s something about growing your very own fruits and veggies that just make them taste so much better! If growing your own tomatoes is on your summer to-do list this year, we’re here to help. Read on for information on the very best tomato varieties to grow this summer.

Beefmaster is a hybrid variety of tomato that offers a sweet but mild flavor. These are well-known to be the best sandwich tomatoes as they grow nice and big, allowing for thick, delicious slices. Beefmasters are prolific producers and grow vertically on vines. Due to their size, they take up to 80 days to fully reach maturity and will definitely require staking.

Better Boy tomatoes are similar to the Beefmaster, as they also can grow quite large and require supports to hold up their heavy, fruit-laden vines. However, they take slightly less time to mature than Beefmasters, being ready for harvest between 70 or 75 days. Their classic tomato taste and easy-to-grow nature make them one of the best tomatoes to grow for gardeners of any experience level.

Candyland Red tomatoes are small in stature but big in flavor. Maturing at a size slightly smaller than the average cherry tomato, Candyland Red yields incredible amounts of fruit with a super-sweet flavor. They ripen nice and early at about 55-60 days and are the best tomatoes to grow if you’re hoping to get more than one large harvest. The vines of Candyland Reds produce fruits over a much longer period of time compared to other tomatoes.

Early Girl tomatoes are the best to grow if you have a smaller gardening space as they happily grow in containers. They reach maturity at just 50 days and have a light and sweet flavor. Early Girls are also loved by gardeners for their low-maintenance growth style and reduced need for water compared to other cultivars.

Green Zebra is a very unique tomato, standing out for its distinct striped yellow-and-green color and tart flavor. You can tell when Green Zebras are ripe when they turn bright yellow with a slight blush of red. These are the best tomatoes to grow if you’re looking to add a new flavor to the menu. Tossing these in a nice summer salad or eating them raw with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt makes for a delicious snack! Green Zebras will reach full maturity at about 75-80 days.

Jersey Boy tomatoes are excellent growers, producing fruit all summer long. They grow to be quite large, even rivaling the Beefsteak and Beefmaster varieties. They are the best tomatoes to grow for the enthusiastic tomato lover for their continuous production and tangy sweet-and-sour flavor.

La Roma III is a very popular variety that grows in a unique oblong shape. This is the best tomato to grow if you want to make your very own homemade tomato sauce or paste. They reach maturity at 76 days, and their refreshing, tangy flavor makes it hard to resist eating them just straight from the vine.

Lemon Boy tomatoes are the best way to not only grow delicious snacks but also add some eye-catching interest to your garden. Their bright-yellow color, both inside and out, makes them stand out on the vine and on the table. Flashy looks aside, Lemon Boys are average-paced growers, maturing at 72 days. They have a deliciously sweet flavor.

Midnight Snack gets its name from the unique coloring this fruit produces when exposed to the sun. Almost resembling cherries more so than tomatoes, these are a lovely deep-purplish red color, chock-full of antioxidants, and as sweet as can be. Undoubtedly, the Midnight Snack is one of the best tomatoes to grow in containers to be enjoyed on decks or patios as they produce fruit all summer long.

Steakhouse tomatoes are one of the largest tomatoes you can possibly grow, known to reach 3 lbs in weight! They take up to 80 days to reach maturity but are still heavy producers. If desired, these tomatoes can be grown in a large container, but due to their immense weight, staking will absolutely be required. Steakhouses are the best tomatoes to grow if a classic tomato flavor and meaty texture are what you’re after.

Sun Gold cherry tomatoes get their name from the lovely golden orange color they take on once ripe. They are deliciously sweet with a slight tanginess that makes them irresistible to snack on straight from the vine. You can enjoy these tomatoes all summer long, making them some of the best to grow for a larger harvest.

SunSugar tomatoes get their name from their high sugar content and their pretty sunset orange color. If you have kids that turn their noses up at veggies, then SunSugar tomatoes are the best ones to grow, as no one can resist their super-sweet flavor. This cherry tomato variety is an early summer harvester and continues producing all growing season long.

Dancing with Smurfs is another cherry tomato variety that offers a classic sweet cherry flavor but is distinctly unique with its bold indigo color. These dark purple tomatoes are the best to grow if you’re looking for something different compared to most other tomato varieties. Interestingly, this tomato was named after the animated television series South Park’s thirteenth episode of its thirteenth season.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet, tangy, large, or small, there is a perfect tomato for everyone! Tomatoes are also extremely easy to grow, making them a great starter crop for even the most novice gardeners. For more information on how to grow the best tomatoes ever, feel free to stop in at one of our locations— we’d be happy to help you out!