The best varieties of cherry tomatoes for open ground

Low-growing varieties

Cherry tomatoes come in both dwarf and tall varieties. Dwarf varieties tend to produce the earliest harvest. They are most often grown not only outdoors but also indoors.

These varieties can be grown outdoors in special plastic shelters. Today, the dwarf cherry variety contains many subspecies, which differ not only in the characteristics of the bushes but also in the fruits they produce.

Let's look at those low-growing varieties that have been recognized by gardeners as the best and most profitable in terms of cultivation:

• Basket on the Windowsill. This variety ripens in 80-85 days. It is grown outdoors, but can also be grown indoors on a windowsill. It forms a superdeterminate, low-growing bush. The maximum height is 40 cm. No side shoots are needed. It also doesn't require staking. A single cluster produces round tomatoes, usually no more than 8-10 of which weigh approximately 20-30 g. The cherry tomatoes of this variety have excellent flavor.
• Sugar-Packed Cranberry. Considered an early-ripening variety, it's suitable for growing in a variety of plastic greenhouses, indoors or in apartments, as well as outdoors. It produces low-growing shoots that don't require staking. Small, round tomatoes form on the stem. The cherry tomatoes have dark red, smooth skin. The flesh has a pleasant flavor. Sugar-Packed Cranberry is described as having good resistance to climate fluctuations and late blight. These tomatoes are excellent for salads or canning.

It is also worth noting the popularity of the following types:

• Vnuchenka is an ultra-early, low-growing variety. The maximum shoot height is 50 cm (no more). It produces flat-round tomatoes weighing 20-50 g.
• Monetka. This is an ultra-early variety. Late blight doesn't affect Monetka, as the crop ripens before it spreads widely. They ripen approximately 88 days after germination. They are often grown in various plastic shelters or in open ground. The bush is low-growing and determinate. It produces fruits with an average weight of 10-15 g. The tomatoes are yellow and sweet. They are often eaten fresh, but they are also excellent for canning. The yield of this variety is much better than other cherry tomatoes.

These are the most popular and widespread varieties, most often grown by gardeners in our country. However, there are other cherry tomato varieties that are also worthy of attention. These include the following:

• Tomato "Knopka" (Pushka). An ornamental and early-ripening variety. The first harvest occurs 95-105 days after the shoots emerge. It is recommended to grow it outdoors. "Knopka" produces determinate shoots that reach a height of no more than 50-60 cm. These produce smooth, plum-shaped fruits weighing an average of 30-40 g.
• Sweet Children's Tomato. This early-ripening variety is recommended for outdoor cultivation. It is characterized by superdeterminacy and low growth. A key feature of this variety is the lack of need for staking or pinching. Furthermore, the shoots can withstand the heavy loads of a bountiful harvest. A single cluster produces up to 8-10 plum-shaped fruits, averaging 30 g. Several hybrids have been described, including Lycopa, Kira, Ira, and others.

Another excellent variety is Pygmy. It grows well indoors. A 1-2 liter flowerpot is sufficient. The stem grows to a maximum height of 25 cm, producing red, round tomatoes. Thanks to its low stem, Pygmy grows well even indoors (on a balcony or windowsill). And here, pinching out the side shoots is not necessary.

One of the cherry tomato varieties that can be grown at home is the "Balkonnoye Chudo" (Balcony Miracle) variety. The bush can grow up to 50 cm tall. Its high fertility necessitates staking. It produces red, round, cocktail-type tomatoes. Their average weight ranges from 30 to 50 g. The crop ripens early. Grigorashik (Grigorashik) is similar in appearance to the "Balkonnoye Chudo" variety.

Florida Petit is also a variety that can be grown indoors. This is a fairly small plant, with stems no taller than 25 cm. The fruits have a sweet taste. Bonsai is another balcony plant. It is suitable for both outdoor and indoor cultivation. The small bush produces small tomatoes with a sweet and sour taste.

The Pizzeria variety is characterized by the formation of relatively tall stems, which can reach 70 cm in height. This is a mid-early variety. Ripening occurs approximately 110 days after the emergence of the shoots. The plant produces red tomatoes that are suitable for all-purpose use. A single cluster can contain up to 20 fruits, all of which have thin skin.

Among the low-growing plants, the above-mentioned cherry varieties are the most popular and in demand among gardeners in our country. Although most of them are great for growing indoors, planting them in open ground is also allowed.

Video "Balcony Farmers"

In the video, a farmer shares his experience growing cherry tomatoes on a balcony.

Tall

There are not only dwarf varieties, but also tall ones. These plants can grow to a considerable height, necessitating staking and pinching. However, their yields are significantly higher than those of dwarf bushes. Therefore, they are better suited for greenhouse or open-air cultivation.

The following varieties are considered tall cherry tomatoes:

• Madeira. The harvest ripens early, before the first frost. The tomatoes that form on the vine are vibrantly colored and average 25g in weight. This variety has been shown to be resistant to various fungal and viral pathogens.
• Pink cherry. Produces medium-sized tomatoes that ripen mid-early. A single cluster produces up to 30 tomatoes. Each tomato weighs approximately 23 g.
• Ildi Grape. This is a foreign-bred hybrid. The bush produces yellow tomatoes with an oval shape. A single cluster can contain up to 100 fruits. The flesh is tender and pleasant to the taste. It is also described as a high yielder.
• Kira F1. This early-ripening hybrid produces fruits weighing 30 g. Their orange skin is quite dense, allowing Kira F1 to be stored for a fairly long period of time. It also retains its marketable appearance. A single cluster produces up to 20 tomatoes. This hybrid is characterized by a pleasant fruity aroma.

Marishka F1 is also a tall-growing variety. This early-ripening hybrid was developed by Russian breeders. The tomatoes are raspberry-red and round in shape. They weigh around 30 g. They have been described as having relatively high resistance to various viral diseases.

The Zolotaya Beads F1 variety deserves special mention. This hybrid was also developed by Russian breeders. The plant produces orange-yellow tomatoes on the bush. Their flesh is quite sweet and firm, and tastes excellent when pickled.

Another interesting early-ripening, determinate variety is the Zelenushka. It is characterized by small, amber-green fruits weighing up to 18 g. Their weight is approximately 21 g. The Black Cherry, which produces dark purple tomatoes, rivals the Zelenushka in its unusual coloring. The bush itself resembles a berry bush rather than a typical tomato plant.

For the Moscow region

Not all varieties of this tomato are suitable for the Moscow region. The following varieties thrive in open ground here:

• Lycopa. This early-ripening variety forms indeterminate bushes. It can have simple or compound clusters. Each cluster contains up to 12 berries. They are oval-shaped and red, weighing no more than 40 g. The pulp contains a lot of lycopene, which is beneficial for the human body. Thanks to its tough skin, the fruit tolerates transportation well. It is characterized by high yields and excellent resistance to fungal and viral microorganisms.
• Mio is an early-ripening hybrid. It's considered a greenhouse plant, but can also be grown outdoors. The bush produces round, red fruits. The maximum weight of a single tomato is 35 g.
• Honey Drop. The plant can reach up to 1 m in height. It can be grown in any greenhouse or in the open ground. The tomatoes ripen on the bush and weigh no more than 30 g.

Another early-ripening variety that can be grown in the Moscow region is the Liza variety. Its description is similar to the Honey Drop.

As we can see, cherry tomatoes today come in a wide variety of low-growing and tall varieties. They can be grown in greenhouses, open ground, and indoors. The best of them are suitable for growing in the Moscow region.

Video "Cherry"

This video shows methods for growing and caring for cherry tomatoes.