Determinate tomato varieties are often called “bush” tomatoes because they grow to a fixed, predetermined height. The direct answer to whether they produce all season is no; these plants are genetically programmed to yield their entire crop within a concentrated window. They are the preferred choice for gardeners who want a large, simultaneous harvest for canning or sauce-making. Choosing the correct type of tomato depends on a gardener’s space, preservation goals, and desired harvest timing.
Defining Determinate Tomato Growth
The limited growing season of a determinate tomato is linked to its unique growth habit. These varieties are characterized by a biological mechanism called “self-topping.” This means the main stem stops growing vertically once a flower cluster, or terminal bud, forms at the tip.
This genetic programming limits the plant’s height, typically between three and four feet, resulting in a compact, bushy structure. Once the plant reaches this size, its energy shifts from vine development to fruit production. This fixed growth pattern concentrates the plant’s resources into a single, predictable fruiting period.
The Concentrated Harvest Window
The most distinctive feature of determinate tomatoes is their concentrated fruiting cycle. Once the plant has set its flowers, the majority of the fruit ripens simultaneously over a short period. This harvest window typically lasts about four to six weeks, though it can be as short as two to three weeks for some varieties.
This synchronized ripening is an advantage for processing, allowing gardeners to harvest a large volume of tomatoes at once for canning, freezing, or making sauce. After this period of peak production, the plants stop setting new fruit and productivity sharply declines. The entire process, from transplanting to the final harvest, often spans only 70 to 80 days.
Indeterminate Tomatoes The Seasonal Contrast
Indeterminate tomatoes offer the seasonal contrast to determinate varieties. These plants are often called “vining” tomatoes because they do not set a terminal flower bud. Instead, their main stem continues to grow and lengthen indefinitely until the first hard frost kills the plant.
This continuous growth allows indeterminate plants to keep producing new flowers and setting new fruit throughout the growing season. They will have tomatoes at all stages of development—from blossoms to green fruit to ripe fruit—at the same time. This results in a harvest that extends over a longer period, typically two to three months, providing a steady supply of fresh tomatoes for slicing and salads.
Cultivation and Planning for Determinate Varieties
Because determinate tomatoes have a limited growth and fruiting period, they require a different cultivation approach than vining types. Pruning or “suckering” is generally avoided on determinate varieties because it can significantly reduce the yield. The fruit forms at the ends of the branches, and removing side shoots would eliminate potential fruit clusters.
Determinate plants still benefit from support, even though they do not reach the towering heights of indeterminate varieties. The concentrated fruit load can be heavy on the compact frame, so low cages or sturdy stakes are necessary to prevent the plants from collapsing.
For gardeners who desire a longer harvest window from determinate varieties, the best strategy is staggered planting. This involves planting multiple batches of the same variety several weeks apart. This ensures that as the first group finishes production, the next group is just beginning its concentrated ripening period.