How To Grow Tomatoes In Containers | Gardener's Path

Canning, Pastes, and Sauces

Paste tomatoes have meaty flesh, low moisture levels, few seeds, and a terrific taste.

And it’s these features that make them the go-to choice for canning, dehydrating, juice, ketchup, pastes, purees, and sauces.

Amish Paste

‘Amish Paste’ is an indeterminate heirloom variety with six-ounce, teardrop-shaped fruit that are ideal for putting up delicious preserves.

‘Amish Paste’

Fruits mature in 85 days.

Seeds are available at True Leaf Market.

Fresh Salsa

‘Fresh Salsa’ is a determinate hybrid cultivar with firm flesh that doesn’t drip or squish when chopped – perfect for bruschetta and salsa.

‘Fresh Salsa’

Fruits are ready to harvest in 65-70 days.

Plants are available exclusively at Burpee.

San Marzano

‘San Marzano’ is an indeterminate heirloom, beloved for the rich, deep flavor they give to tomato sauces.

‘San Marzano’

Plants mature in 85 days.

Seeds are available in a variety of packet sizes and can be purchased at Eden Brothers.

You can get tips on growing ‘San Marzano’ here.

And be check out our guide to 15 of the best canning tomatoes for even more suggestions.

Sandwiches and Slicing

Sandwich and slicing tomatoes are medium to large sized fruit with a bold flavor, plenty of juice, and a meaty texture.

These are the perfect complement to burgers or sandwiches and sliced into salads.

Brandywine

‘Brandywine’ is an indeterminate heirloom beefsteak, beloved for its big, brawny fruits and full flavor.

‘Brandywine’

Fruit is ready to harvest in 85 days. Organic seeds are available at Eden Brothers.

Read more about growing Brandywine here.

Cherokee Purple

‘Cherokee Purple’ is another indeterminate heirloom cultivar and features large, deep maroon fruits with a sweet taste.

‘Cherokee Purple’

Seeds and plants are available at Burpee.

You can read more about growing them here.

Phoenix

‘Phoenix’ is a hybrid, determinate, bush-type cultivar bred to withstand extreme heat that reliably produces a heavy yield of tangy, baseball-sized fruits after 75 days.

‘Phoenix’

Seeds in a variety of packet sizes are available at True Leaf Market.

Want more sandwich and slicing options? Be sure to take a look at our “23 of the Best Slicing Tomatoes to Grow in Your Garden.“

Snacking

Tumblers – types with a trailing habit perfectly suited to hanging baskets – and cherry tomatoes are the first to ripen and make the perfect bite-sized snack.

Black Cherry

‘Black Cherry’ is a prolific indeterminate heirloom cultivar with a deep mahogany color and rich flavor that’s perfect for an exotic salsa.

‘Black Cherry’

Fruits are ready for harvest after 85 days.

Seeds are available at Eden Brothers.

Sungold

‘Sungold’ produces an abundance of sweetly-tart, tropical flavored fruits on indeterminate vines after only 57 days.

‘Sungold’

Seeds can be purchased at True Leaf Market.

Sweetheart of the Patio

‘Sweetheart of the Patio’ is sweetly delicious and produces a superior yield on semi-determinate vines. This cultivar has a draping growth habit that’s ideal for hanging baskets.

‘Sweetheart of the Patio’

Fruits are ready to pick in 65 days.

Seeds and plants are available at Burpee.

For more ideas, be sure to read our roundup of the best cherry tomatoes to plant in your garden.