Which tomato varieties should be planted in May?
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in many gardens. But to ensure a successful harvest, it is important to choose the right varieties and plant them at the right time. In this article, we present some of the best tomato varieties to plant in May for a bounty harvest.
Choosing the right tomato variety in May is crucial to ensure a successful harvest. The tomato varieties you choose should be adapted to the climatic conditions and location of your garden. They should also be disease and pest resistant to ensure healthy plant development and a good harvest.
The climate plays a crucial role in choosing the right tomato varieties for your garden. While some strains do well in cooler climates, others prefer warmer temperatures. It is important to choose a variety that suits the climatic conditions of your location.
Early ripening tomato varieties
Siberian Spring
‘Siberian Spring’ is a precocious variety well suited to colder climates. The plants are robust and can be planted as early as May. The tomatoes are medium-sized and have a sweet taste.
Balcony Magic
‘Balcony Magic’ is a compact, early-ripening variety that is particularly suitable for growing on balconies and terraces. The tomatoes are small but very tasty and ripen quickly.
Primabelle
‘Primabell’ is a precocious variety suitable for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation. The tomatoes have an elongated shape and are very aromatic.
Comparison
- Ripening time: Siberian spring is an early ripe tomato variety that bears ripe fruit after just 55-65 days. Balcony Magic and Primabelle are slightly later maturing, with a maturing time of 65-75 days.
- Size: Balcony Magic is a dwarf tomato suitable for growing on balconies and terraces. The fruits are small, weighing only about 20-30 grams. Siberian Spring and Primabelle are larger tomato varieties, with Primabelle having the largest fruits of the three varieties.
- Taste: Siberian Spring has a fruity and mild taste, while Balcony Magic and Primabelle taste sweet and aromatic.
- Hardiness: Siberian Spring is known for its resistance to cold and disease. Balcony Charm and Primabelle are also resilient, but not as much as Siberian Spring.
- Use: Due to its small size, Balcony Magic is ideal for salads and snacks. Because of their size, Siberian spring and primabelle are better suited for sauces and other dishes that require larger chunks of tomato.
seeds
| Sort | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | Taste | Hardiness | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siberian Spring | 55-65 | Medium | Mild and fruity | Cold tolerant and disease resistant | 2-3 euros |
| Balcony Magic | 65-75 | Small | Sweet and aromatic | Disease resistant | 1-2 euros |
| Primabelle | 65-75 | Large | Sweet and aromatic | Disease resistant | 3-4 euros |
Mid-early tomato varieties
San Marzano
‘San Marzano’ is a medium-early variety that is known for its excellent taste. The tomatoes are oblong and are ideal for preparing sauces and for preserving.
Golden Queen
‘Golden Queen’ is a medium-early, yellow tomato variety. The tomatoes are round in shape and have a mild, sweet taste. They are excellent for salads and for decorating dishes.
Roma
The ‘Roma’ tomato is a mid-early variety known for its excellent taste and versatility in the kitchen. The tomatoes are oblong and are particularly suitable for sauces, stews and for drying.
Comparison
- Maturity: San Marzano and Roma are medium-early tomato varieties that bear fruit after 70-80 days. Golden Queen is a late-ripening variety that bears ripe fruit after 80-90 days.
- Size: San Marzano and Roma are rather elongated tomato varieties, while Golden Queen has a rounded shape. San Marzano is about medium in size, while Roma and Golden Queen are slightly larger.
- Taste: San Marzano is known for its intense, fruity taste, while Golden Queen tastes mild and sweet. Roma has a classic, mild tomato flavor.
- Hardiness: San Marzano and Roma are both relatively resistant to diseases and pests. However, Golden Queen is more susceptible to pest infestation.
- Use: Due to its intense taste, San Marzano is ideal for sauces and pasta dishes. Golden Queen is ideal for salads and snacks due to its sweetness, while Roma is versatile due to its classic tomato flavor.
seeds
| Sort | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | Taste | Resilience | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marzano | 70-80 | Medium to long | Intense and fruity | Disease resistant | 3-4 euros |
| Golden Queen | 80-90 | Medium to round | Mild and sweet | More susceptible to pest infestation | 2-3 euros |
| Roma | 70-80 | Medium to oval | Classic tomato flavor | Disease resistant | 1-2 euros |
Late ripening tomato varieties
Brandywine
‘Brandywine’ is a late-ripening tomato variety known for its intense flavor. The tomatoes are large and fleshy and are good for sandwiches and salads. However, they require a longer time to mature and should be grown in a greenhouse or in a warm, sheltered area.
Green Zebra
The ‘Green Zebra’ tomato is a late-ripening variety with striking green-striped fruits. The tomatoes are small to medium-sized and have a slightly sour taste. They are great for salads and to garnish dishes.
Black Crimea
‘Black Krim’ is a late-ripening tomato variety that is known for its dark, almost black color and intense, sweet taste. The tomatoes are large and fleshy and are good for salads and grilling.
Comparison
- Maturity: Brandywine and Black Krim are late-ripening tomato varieties that bear ripe fruit after 80-90 days. Green Zebra is a medium late variety that bears ripe fruit after 75-85 days.
- Size: Brandywine and Black Krim are larger tomato varieties, while Green Zebra is a smaller variety. Brandywine has an irregular, ribbed shape, while Black Krim and Green Zebra have a rounded shape.
- Taste: Brandywine is known for its intense, fruity flavor while Green Zebra has a spicy and sour taste. Black Krim has a mild, sweet taste.
- Hardiness: Brandywine and Black Krim are susceptible to disease and pest infestation, while Green Zebra is more resistant to pests and diseases due to its spicy flavor and thicker skin.
- Use: Brandywine is excellent for salads and sandwiches due to its intense taste. Green Zebra is ideal for sauces and as an accompaniment to cheese and meat dishes, while Black Krim is versatile due to its mild taste.
seeds
| Sort | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | Taste | resilience | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandywine | 80-90 | Large | Intense and fruity | Susceptible to diseases and pests | 4-5 euros |
| Green Zebra | 75-85 | Small to medium-sized | Spicy and sour | More resistant to pests and diseases | 2-3 euros |
| Black Crimea | 80-90 | Medium to large | Mild and sweet | Susceptible to diseases and pests | 3-4 euros |
Resistant tomato varieties for cultivation in May
Ferline
‘Ferline’ is a resistant tomato variety that is well suited for cultivation in May. Plants are disease and pest resistant and produce large, fleshy tomatoes with excellent flavor.
Resi
The tomato variety ‘Resi’ is also resistant to diseases and pests. The plants are robust and easy to care for and produce medium-sized, tasty tomatoes.
Lycopersicon
‘Lycopersicon’ is another resistant tomato variety suitable for cultivation in May. The plants are robust and produce medium-sized, aromatic tomatoes.
Comparison
- Maturity: Ferline and Resi are late-ripening tomato varieties that bear ripe fruit after 80-90 days. Lycopersicon is a medium-early variety that bears ripe fruit after 70-80 days.
- Size: Ferline and Resi are medium-sized tomato varieties, while Lycopersicon produces smaller fruits.
- Taste: Ferline has a sweet and fruity taste, while Resi tastes rather mild. Lycopersicon has a classic tomato flavor.
- Hardiness: Ferline and Resi are relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Lycopersicon is more susceptible to pest infestation.
- Use: Due to its sweet taste, Ferline is ideal for salads and as an accompaniment to cheese and meat dishes. Due to its mild taste, Resi is ideal for sauces and soups. Lycopersicon is versatile due to its classic tomato flavor.
seeds
| Sort | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | taste | Resilience | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferline | 80-90 | Medium | Sweet and fruity | Disease resistant | 3-4 euros |
| Resi | 80-90 | Medium | Mild | Disease resistant | 2-3 euros |
| Lycopersicon | 70-80 | Small | Classic tomato flavor | More susceptible to pest infestation | 1-2 euros |
Tomato varieties for greenhouse cultivation
Ailsa Craig
‘Ailsa Craig’ is a tomato variety that is particularly suitable for greenhouse cultivation. The tomatoes are medium-sized, round in shape and sweet in taste.
Gardener’s Delight
‘Gardeners Delight’ is a popular tomato variety for greenhouse cultivation. The plants produce small, sweet tomatoes that are perfect for salads and snacking.
Cherry Cascade
‘Cherry Cascade’ is a hanging tomato variety well suited to greenhouse or hanging basket cultivation. The plants produce large quantities of small, sweet cherry tomatoes.
Comparison
- Ripening time: Ferline and Resi are late-ripening tomato varieties that bear ripe fruit after 80-90 days. Lycopersicon is a medium-early variety that bears ripe fruit after 70-80 days.
- Size: Ferline and Resi are medium-sized tomato varieties, while Lycopersicon produces smaller fruits.
- Taste: Ferline has a sweet and fruity taste, while Resi tastes rather mild. Lycopersicon has a classic tomato flavor.
- Hardiness: Ferline and Resi are relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Lycopersicon is more susceptible to pest infestation.
- Use: Due to its sweet taste, Ferline is ideal for salads and as an accompaniment to cheese and meat dishes. Due to its mild taste, Resi is ideal for sauces and soups. Lycopersicon is versatile due to its classic tomato flavor.
seeds
| places | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | Taste | Hardiness | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ailsa Craig | 70-80 | Medium | Sweet and spicy | Disease resistant | 3-4 euros |
| Gardener’s Delight | 70-80 | Medium | Sweet and fruity | Disease resistant | 2-3 euros |
| Cherry Cascade | 60-70 | Small | Mild and sweet | More susceptible to pest infestation | 1-2 euros |
Tomato varieties for growing in tubs and pots
Tumbling Tom
‘Tumbling Tom’ is a hanging tomato variety that is ideal for growing in tubs and pots. The plants are compact and produce lots of small, tasty tomatoes. They are particularly suitable for balconies and terraces.
Patio Princess
‘Patio Princess’ is a compact tomato variety specially bred for growing in pots and tubs. The plants are small and bushy and produce medium-sized, aromatic tomatoes.
Minibel
‘Minibel’ is another compact tomato variety that is well suited for growing in tubs and pots. The plants are small and bushy and produce small, sweet tomatoes.
Comparison
- Maturity: Tumbling Tom and Patio Princess are early tomato varieties that bear ripe fruit after 50-60 days. Minibel is a medium-early variety that bears ripe fruit after 70-80 days.
- Size: Tumbling Tom and Minibel are small tomato varieties, while Patio Princess has medium-sized fruits.
- Flavor: Tumbling Tom has a sweet and fruity flavor while Patio Princess has a mild and sweet flavor. Minibel has a classic tomato flavor.
- Hardiness: Tumbling Tom and Patio Princess are relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Minibel is more susceptible to pest infestation.
- Use: Tumbling Tom and Patio Princess are great for growing in containers and hanging baskets because of their size. Due to its classic tomato flavor, Minibel is suitable for a variety of dishes.
seeds
| Sort | Maturity (days) | size of the fruit | Taste | Resilience | Price per pack (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tumbling Tom | 50-60 | Small | Sweet and fruity | Disease resistant | 2-3 euros |
| Patio Princess | 50-60 | Medium | Mild and sweet | Disease resistant | 3-4 euros |
| Minibel | 70-80 | Small | Classic tomato flavor | More susceptible to pest infestation | 2-3 euros |