Best Types of Cherry Tomatoes to Grow in North Dakota
Cherry tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners, and with North Dakota’s shorter growing season, selecting the right varieties can make all the difference. The state’s climate presents some challenges, such as cold winters and a relatively brief summer, but there are several cherry tomato varieties that thrive in cooler, northern regions. Here’s a guide to the best types of cherry tomatoes you can grow in North Dakota, ensuring a productive and flavorful harvest.
1. ‘Sun Gold’
One of the most popular and flavorful cherry tomatoes, ‘Sun Gold’ is known for its sweet, tropical taste and vibrant orange color. This indeterminate variety performs well in cooler climates like North Dakota, as it matures early and is productive throughout the season.
Key Features:
- Matures in 55 to 65 days
- Indeterminate, continues producing until frost
- Sweet, juicy orange fruits
- Heat-tolerant and prolific
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- Early maturation and long harvesting period make it perfect for areas with a shorter growing season. The plants are also quite resistant to cracking, which is helpful in climates with fluctuating temperatures.
2. ‘Sweet 100’
‘Sweet 100’ is an indeterminate cherry tomato variety known for producing clusters of small, bright red tomatoes with excellent flavor. It is a vigorous grower, often requiring staking or a trellis for support due to its heavy fruit production.
Key Features:
- Matures in 65 to 70 days
- Indeterminate variety with high yields
- Sweet, red, bite-sized fruits
- Resistant to common tomato diseases like Fusarium wilt and nematodes
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- This variety is disease-resistant and offers high yields, which can be beneficial in a short growing season. The small fruits ripen quickly, and the plants continue to produce even during cool fall temperatures.
3. ‘Black Cherry’
‘Black Cherry’ offers a unique color and flavor, producing dark, purplish-brown fruits with a rich, smoky taste. This indeterminate variety grows well in northern climates, providing a beautiful contrast to other cherry tomatoes in your garden.
Key Features:
- Matures in 65 to 75 days
- Indeterminate variety with prolific fruit production
- Dark, rich-flavored cherry tomatoes
- Heirloom variety with excellent taste
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- The plants are hardy and adaptable to different soil types and climates, making them suitable for North Dakota’s shorter summer. The fruits are crack-resistant and hold up well to cooler weather.
4. ‘Yellow Pear’
‘Yellow Pear’ is a favorite among gardeners for its unique pear-shaped fruits and mild, sweet flavor. This indeterminate variety produces bright yellow tomatoes that are both ornamental and tasty. It’s a prolific grower, making it a reliable choice for northern gardens.
Key Features:
- Matures in 70 to 75 days
- Indeterminate, produces throughout the season
- Mild, sweet flavor with bright yellow fruits
- Easy to grow and disease-resistant
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- The plants are cold-tolerant and do well in a variety of growing conditions. They also continue to produce through the cooler late summer and early fall days, maximizing the short growing season.
5. ‘Juliet’
Though technically a grape tomato, ‘Juliet’ often gets classified with cherry tomatoes due to its size and versatility. This variety produces elongated red fruits with a firm texture and sweet, tangy flavor. It’s well-known for its resistance to cracking and disease, making it a robust option.
Key Features:
- Matures in 60 to 70 days
- Indeterminate variety with high yields
- Sweet, elongated red fruits
- Resistant to cracking and disease
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- ‘Juliet’ matures quickly and continues to produce throughout the season, even in cooler conditions. Its disease resistance and hardiness make it a reliable choice for northern climates.
6. ‘Gold Nugget’
For gardeners looking for an early-maturing cherry tomato, ‘Gold Nugget’ is a top choice. This determinate variety produces small, round yellow tomatoes with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s known for maturing in as little as 55 days, making it ideal for shorter growing seasons.
Key Features:
- Matures in 55 to 60 days
- Determinate variety, compact growth habit
- Sweet, mild yellow fruits
- Early maturing for a quick harvest
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- ‘Gold Nugget’ matures early, ensuring you can enjoy ripe tomatoes even in areas with a shorter summer. Its determinate growth means the plants stay more compact, making it perfect for gardeners with limited space or for container gardening.
7. ‘Tiny Tim’
‘Tiny Tim’ is a compact, determinate cherry tomato variety that is perfect for container gardening or small spaces. It produces small, sweet red fruits and is incredibly easy to grow. This variety is well-suited for areas with short growing seasons, as it matures quickly and doesn’t require extensive care.
Key Features:
- Matures in 50 to 55 days
- Determinate, compact plants perfect for containers
- Sweet, small red fruits
- Quick-growing and easy to maintain
Why It’s Great for North Dakota:
- With its fast maturation time, ‘Tiny Tim’ can produce a full crop even in the shortest summers. Its compact size makes it ideal for gardeners with limited outdoor space or those who prefer to grow in pots.
Growing Tips for Cherry Tomatoes in North Dakota
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Start Indoors: Given North Dakota’s shorter growing season, it’s important to start your seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. This will give your plants a head start before transplanting them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
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Use Cold Frames or Row Covers: These can help protect your plants from unexpected cold snaps or late spring frosts.
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Full Sun: Cherry tomatoes thrive in full sunlight. Make sure they get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to maximize fruit production.
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Water Consistently: Tomatoes need regular watering, especially during the fruiting stage. Consistent moisture helps prevent issues like cracking and blossom-end rot.
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Support Indeterminate Varieties: Many cherry tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support their growth and keep the plants healthy.
Conclusion
With North Dakota’s shorter growing season, choosing the right cherry tomato varieties is essential for a successful harvest. ‘Sun Gold,’ ‘Sweet 100,’ and ‘Black Cherry’ are some of the top-performing varieties, offering a combination of flavor, hardiness, and early maturation that will thrive in the cooler climate. By selecting the right plants and following good gardening practices, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes throughout the growing season.
