Determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes: what is the difference?

If you have ever wondered why some tomatoes grow into a neat compact bush while others keep climbing until they take over the garden, the answer comes down to whether the variety is determinate or indeterminate.

Determinate tomatoes grow to a set height (usually around one metre), then stop and put all their energy into producing fruit. The crop ripens more or less at once over a few weeks, then the plant is done. They are tidy, manageable, and good for gardeners who want a big batch to cook with or preserve.

Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing and producing fruit all season long, sometimes reaching two metres or more. They need staking or a trellis to keep them upright, but they reward you with a continuous harvest from late spring right through to winter in South East Queensland.

Which should you grow in a raised bed?

1. If you have a compact or medium bed and want low maintenance, go determinate. Roma and Tigerella are good options.
2. If you have a taller bed or access to a trellis (like our garden beds with a trellis), indeterminate varieties give a longer harvest. Cherry tomatoes like Tommy Toe and Sungold, or larger varieties like Brandywine, all work well.
3. Cherry tomatoes are a great starting point. Most are indeterminate but compact enough to manage easily, and they produce heavily all season.

A note on heirloom tomatoes: most heirloom varieties are indeterminate, so they need good support. A Corrogarden trellis bed is ideal for these.

More garden guides: what is an heirloom tomato? · what grows on a trellis? · how to grow tomatoes

What should I plant right now? Our free garden calendar shows the best time to sow or plant tomatoes in your area. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.