Overview

The tomato, also known as the edible berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, is a native species of western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The word “tomato” originates from the Spanish “tomate,” which in turn comes from the Nahuatl word “tomatl,” meaning ‘swelling fruit,’ ‘fat water,’ or ‘fat thing.’ The native Mexican tomatillo is also referred to as “tomate.” When the Aztecs started to cultivate the fruit to be larger, sweeter, and red, they called the new variety “xitomatl” (or “jitomates”), meaning ‘plump with navel’ or ‘fat water with navel.’

Tomato plants are typically vines, starting out with a trailing growth habit, and can grow to a height of 180 cm (6 ft) or more when supported. However, there are also compact bush varieties that are generally 100 cm (3 ft 3 in) tall or shorter. Indeterminate types of tomato plants are considered “tender” perennials, and they typically die annually in temperate climates, although they can live for up to three years in a greenhouse under certain conditions. On the other hand, determinate types are annual plants in all climates. While tomatoes are often referred to as vegetables in culinary contexts, they are actually botanically classified as berries due to their fruit structure.

It’s not a stretch to think of a tomato as a berry. However, I will have to save that discussion for another post, now let’s talk about growing them in Zone 9b and beyond!

Zone 9b Florida

Let’s face it, Florida Gardening can be challenging! With heavy rains, humid summers, and pests you may wonder how you can be successful. Well, choosing the right crops, the right varieties, and the right season can make an extraordinary difference in your vegetable garden. So, what types of Tomatoes are best suited for Florida? When choosing a variety you should consider the growth habits of that particular variety.

• Better Boy
• Celebrity
• Amelia
• Cherokee Purple
• Green Zebra
• Mortgage Lifter

Currently, I don’t have any of those varieties growing, but I do have San Marzano- determinate, Early Girl- determinate, and Floradade- determinate varieties growing in my garden. Since I have a small garden space I was on the hunt for more size-appropriate plants for my beds and the determinate varieties fit the bill. While indeterminate varieties continue to grow longer vines, determinate varieties grow more compact and bushy. Never the less, I was very surprised at the determinate varieties’ large plant size and fruit yield. It’s early June 2024 and I have been harvesting tomatoes since the end of May!

I think many gardeners would be turned off at the idea of determinate varieties because the description says they are compact, bush plants that set their fruit all at once and then are done. However, my experience has been fantastic and despite the description of them being compact and bushy, my plants got HUGE and had a TON of fruit. The total yield will be posted once the plants are all done for the season. Either way, don’t be afraid to try them! Click the button below to read a post where I talk about my Spring 2024 tomato bed.

Care and Planting

Tomatoes are a warm-season crop, growing best between soil temperatures of 61 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This is what makes them perfect for planting throughout Florida’s Spring season.

Seeds can be directly planted into the ground or started in seed trays for transplanting. You can directly plant seeds into the ground from March through April and then again in August for a Fall crop. If you decide to start seeds in trays they can be started in January or February and transplanted mid-March through April.

Harvesting

It will take about 8 to 17 weeks for the plants to produce mature fruit. When it is time to harvest simply pick the fruit off of the vine. A tip that I picked up this season is to pick the fruit as it starts to blush, instead of waiting for it to turn completely red. This helps prevent the fruit from getting damaged by unexpected heavy rains or pests. Simply pick them when they start to change color and set them on the counter to ripen.