Best Tomatoes for Cold Climates

Although tomatoes are a very popular and delicious vegetable, you may not know that there are different varieties suited to different types of climates. If you happen to live in a colder climate, you might want to consider planting one of the cold-hardy tomato varieties that are ideal for cold weather.

Glacier Tomato

This cold-hardy tomato variety is determinate and is usually best planted early in the season. It typically matures within 65 days, so you will have to wait a while before you get your first crop of red tomatoes from this plant. However, it will start flowering when it is only four inches tall, and it will usually produce numerous 2-3 ounce tomatoes that have very good flavor.

Bush Beefsteak

This tomato, also determinate, usually starts producing in 62 days and can grow to 3 feet. It typically produces a large amount of large beefsteak tomatoes that can be as large as 8 ounces. They are also ideal for growing in areas that have a shorter growing season. The fruits are a deep red c olor

Manitoba Tomato

This tomato was developed at the Modern Experimental Farm for use in both the southern regions of Canada and the northern United States, particularly in states such as the Montana, the Dakotas and Wisconsin. It is a determinate tomato that usually matures in 58 days and produces 6 ounce fruits that are slightly flattened in appearance. It makes an ideal addition to small gardens, matures very early in the season (excellent for areas where the growing season is not very long), and is resistant to both Fusarium and Verticillium Wilt.

Grushovka

This is an heirloom variety of tomato that originated in Siberia, so you know that it has a high resilience to cold temperatures. It usually matures in 65 days and is determinate. The fruits are a beautiful and rich pink color, and they are one of the tastiest varieties of heritage tomato, making them an excellent addition to many gardens. The fruits are small (usually two to three ounces), and are plum-shaped.

Legend

This tomato, developed and introduced at the Oregon State University, certainly lives up to its name. It matures in 68 days and also produces some of the largest tomatoes you are likely to see, with fruits averaging between 14-16 ounces. It will set in both warm and cool temperatures and, fortunately for most growers, it is also resistant to such deadly diseases as late blight.

Tomato Dirt