Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.
As many of you may know, tomatoes are my favorite garden vegetable. In fact, I have grown more than 30 varieties of tomatoes in the last few years.
If you’re looking for the best tomatoes to grow or eat this year, you’re in the right place! After testing and tasting countless varieties (with the help of my wife, Kyrié), I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10 favorites.
Whether you’re after the juiciest heirlooms, the sweetest cherry tomatoes, or the most reliable producers for your garden, this list has something for every tomato lover.
From unique flavors to high yields, these varieties stood out last year—so let’s dive in and find your next must-grow tomato!
Top 10 Tomato Varieties:
- Fourth of July: This variety got its name because it generally ripens and is ready for harvest at the beginning of July. It ripens about a month before other mid-size varieties, which is why it is a must grow in my garden. It has a vibrant, classic look. It’s a small to medium-sized, round fruit with bright, glossy red skin and a smooth, picture-perfect texture.
- Old German: Pictured. When I first grew this variety, I didn’t realize how big the fruit can get! I have had some Old Germans that are multiple pounds. Apart from their impressive size, they are also beautiful and perfect for any sandwich. This variety was popular in the 1800s amongst Mennonites in Virginia.
3. Tasmanian Chocolate (Dwarf): These dwarf varieties of tomatoes are really incredible! Normally determinates (smaller, bushy tomato varieties) have less variety. However, these dwarf varieties are new crosses that have the size of determinate varieties but produce indeterminate-like heirloom tomatoes.
4. Super Sweet 100: Pictured, this is the cherry tomato I recommend to anyone only doing one variety! They’re so sweet, they taste like garden candy. I could snack on these all day! It’s also a very resilient plant and produces great harvest.
5. Homestead: Of all my tomato plants, I don’t know of a variety that produced more classic and perfect looking red tomatoes. Every tomato looked even better than store-bought quality with no cracks or other imperfections. They are also a great mid-size and taste like a classic garden fresh tomato.
6. Black Cherry: This is Kyrié’s favorite variety of cherry tomato (pictured), so I have to grow it every year! Kyrié describes them as tasting like a tomato and grape hybrid. Their skin is a deep mahogany to purplish-black hue, often with subtle hints of red. Inside, the flesh is juicy and dark, offering a sweet yet smoky, slightly earthy flavor that sets it apart from other cherry tomatoes. We have prolific harvests from these plants!
7. Jubilee: Jubilee tomatoes (pictured) are a beautiful, golden-orange heirloom variety known for their smooth, round shape and medium to large size (typically 6–10 ounces). Their firm, meaty flesh has a mild, sweet flavor with low acidity, making them perfect for fresh eating, slicing, and salads. They’re a bit more sensitive to high heat, but their incredible flavor makes it worth the risk.
8. Aunt Ruby’s German Green: I believe green tomatoes are underrated and may seem more intimidating to grow since people aren’t always sure when they’re ripe. But it’s actually easy to tell—just go by how they feel! I love how they taste in all of my favorite tomato dishes. I was torn between choosing the Green Zebra, Dwarf Emerald Giant (two other amazing varieties that are also pictured), or Aunt Ruby’s German Green because I love them all. Green tomatoes generally have more of a subtle, tart taste. I am a sucker for them!
9. Ananas Noir: This tomato (pictured) has one of the most fun names and means “Black Pineapple” in French (although it’s not black, nor does it look like a pineapple). In my opinion, Ananas Noir is top 5 most stunning tomatoes. Its striking contrast of pink and green tones is absolutely gorgeous. In addition to its appearance, its flavor is complex and memorable! Perfect for juicy tomato sandwiches.
10. San Marzano: This is the classic paste tomato that is popular in Neapolitan pizza sauce. Grown traditionally in the volcanic soil of the San Marzano region near Naples, Italy, these tomatoes are prized for their rich flavor and thick, meaty texture. They are elongated and cylindrical, similar in shape to Roma tomatoes but slightly thinner and more pointed at the tip. Their deep red skin is smooth, and they have fewer seeds and lower water content, making them ideal for sauces, pastes, and canning. This variety has grown prolifically in my garden, and I prefer the taste to Roma tomatoes. It is amazing for pico de gallo as well!
Thanks for reading along, guys! If you enjoyed this, check out my other gardening blog posts:
- How to Start a Garden on a Budget for Under $100
- 4 Reasons Why Tomatoes Are the Best Vegetable to Grow
- My Garden Setup: 3 Best Garden Containers for Every Gardener
- When to Plant Indoors vs. Outdoors: A Seasonal Guide for Gardeners
- Essential and Nice-to-Have Garden Products for Your Perfect Setup
- Starting Seeds vs. Buying Transplants: How to Decide for Your Garden
Jeff has a deep passion for gardening. Each year, he cultivates hundreds of pounds of vegetables—along with the occasional fruit—turning his garden into a thriving and productive space. Combined with Kyrié’s cooking, together, they create exciting meals using Jeff’s harvest.
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