Tomato Seeds for Planting
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow, whether you have a large backyard garden, raised beds, or just a few containers on a sunny patio. At Gardeners Basics, you'll find heirloom and open pollinated tomato seeds selected for exceptional flavor, reliable production, and a wide range of culinary uses. Whether you're growing sweet cherry tomatoes for snacking, large beefsteak tomatoes for sandwiches, colorful heirlooms for fresh salads, or meaty paste tomatoes for homemade sauces, you'll find the right varieties to fit your garden and your table.
Not sure where to start? Use the guide below to narrow your choices, then browse the collection to find the varieties that match your growing space, climate, and harvest goals.
Find the Right Tomato for Your Garden
| If You Want... | Recommended Tomato Type |
|---|---|
| Sweet snacks and salads | Cherry Tomatoes |
| Large slices for sandwiches | Beefsteak Tomatoes |
| Sauces, salsa, and canning | Paste Tomatoes |
| Unique colors and exceptional flavor | Heirloom Tomatoes |
| Small space gardening | Compact or Container Varieties |
| A little of everything | Tomato Seed Collections |
Choose the Best Tomato Variety
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes produce small, sweet fruit over a long season and are among the easiest tomatoes for beginners. Many varieties perform exceptionally well in containers and raised beds.
Slicing and Beefsteak Tomatoes
If your goal is thick slices for sandwiches, burgers, and fresh summer meals, large slicing tomatoes and beefsteak varieties are excellent choices. These plants often require sturdy cages or trellises because of their heavy fruit.
Paste Tomatoes
Paste tomatoes contain fewer seeds and less moisture, making them ideal for homemade sauces, salsa, tomato paste, and canning.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom varieties are prized for their rich flavor, beautiful colors, and unique shapes. Because many are open pollinated, gardeners can often save seeds for future seasons.
Quick Growing Facts
- Sunlight: 6 to 8+ hours of full sun
- Start Indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost
- Soil: Rich, well drained soil
- Difficulty: Beginner friendly
- Growing Locations: Garden beds, raised beds, and containers
- Harvest: Most varieties mature in about 60 to 90 days after transplanting
Some varieties are determinate, producing most of their harvest over a shorter period, while indeterminate tomatoes continue producing until frost. Product descriptions identify each variety so you can choose the growth habit that fits your garden.
Why Gardeners Love Growing Tomatoes
Few crops deliver as much value as tomatoes. Homegrown tomatoes are known for their outstanding flavor, impressive productivity, and incredible diversity. With dozens of colors, sizes, and flavors available, it's easy to grow varieties that are rarely found in grocery stores.
Tomatoes are also one of the most useful crops for preserving. Many gardeners grow extra plants specifically for fresh eating, freezing, dehydrating, salsa, pasta sauce, and home canning. Open pollinated heirloom varieties also make excellent choices for gardeners interested in saving seeds from year to year.
Learn More About Growing Tomatoes
Looking for growing advice? Explore our complete collection of tomato growing guides.
Related Seed Collections
Frequently Asked Questions
What tomato variety is best for beginners?
Cherry tomatoes are generally the easiest to grow because they produce heavily, tolerate a range of conditions, and continue harvesting throughout much of the season.
What's the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?
Determinate tomatoes grow to a set size and produce most of their fruit over a shorter period. Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing and producing until frost.
Can tomatoes be grown in containers?
Yes. Many tomato varieties grow very well in large containers as long as they receive plenty of sunlight, consistent watering, and adequate support.
Can I save seeds from my tomatoes?
Seeds can often be saved from open pollinated heirloom varieties. Hybrid varieties may not produce plants that grow true from saved seed.
