New Hampshire’s short summers and cool nights are perfect for small-fruited tomato varieties that ripen quickly and reliably. If you’re looking for the best tomatoes to grow in new hampshire, you need varieties that can handle our unique climate. This guide covers top picks, planting tips, and care strategies to get a great harvest even in a short season.
New Hampshire gardeners face a real challenge: our last frost can be as late as May, and the first frost often hits by late September. That leaves you with maybe 100 to 120 growing days. So choosing the right tomato is everything. Let’s jump into the best options.
Best Tomatoes To Grow In New Hampshire
When we talk about the best tomatoes to grow in new hampshire, we’re looking at varieties that mature in under 75 days. They need to handle cool nights and resist common diseases like blight. Here are the top performers for our state.
Early And Determinate Varieties
Determinate tomatoes grow to a fixed size and ripen all at once. That’s perfect for short seasons. You get a big harvest before frost hits.
- Early Girl – Matures in 50-60 days. Medium-sized fruit. Very reliable in cool weather.
- Stupice – A Czech heirloom that ripens in 55 days. Small, tangy fruits. Great for cold springs.
- Sub Arctic Plenty – Developed for Canada. Matures in 45-55 days. Tiny but productive.
- Glacier – Another cold-tolerant variety. Ready in 55 days. Sweet, cherry-sized fruits.
- Bush Early Girl – Compact plant. Matures in 54 days. Good for containers.
Indeterminate Varieties That Work
Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing and producing until frost kills them. You need early-maturing ones for New Hampshire.
- Sun Gold – Cherry tomato. Matures in 57 days. Super sweet. Very productive.
- Matt’s Wild Cherry – Tiny fruits, ready in 60 days. Extremely disease resistant.
- Black Cherry – Rich flavor. Matures in 64 days. Does well in cooler temps.
- Northern Lights – Bicolor fruit. Ready in 60 days. Handles cold well.
- Sophie’s Choice – Dwarf plant. Matures in 55 days. Good for small gardens.
Paste And Sauce Tomatoes
For making sauces, you want meaty tomatoes with few seeds. These also tend to ripen faster.
- Roma – Classic paste tomato. Matures in 75 days. Reliable but needs a warm spot.
- San Marzano – Italian heirloom. Matures in 78 days. Worth the wait for sauce.
- Amish Paste – Larger fruits. Matures in 80 days. Good flavor.
- Pozzano – Hybrid. Matures in 70 days. More disease resistant.
How To Start Tomatoes In New Hampshire
You can’t just throw seeds in the ground in May. Our soil is still cold. You need to start seeds indoors or buy transplants.
Starting Seeds Indoors
- Start seeds 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. For most of NH, that’s mid-March to early April.
- Use seed starting mix, not garden soil. Keep it moist but not wet.
- Provide 14-16 hours of light per day. A simple shop light works.
- Keep temperature around 70-75°F during the day, slightly cooler at night.
- Harden off seedlings for a week before planting outside. Set them out for a few hours each day, increasing time.
Buying Transplants
If you don’t want to start seeds, buy transplants from local nurseries. Look for stocky plants with dark green leaves. Avoid tall, leggy ones. Check for pests or yellowing.
Plant them after all danger of frost has passed. In southern NH, that’s around May 20. In the north, it’s closer to June 1. Use a frost blanket if a late frost threatens.
Planting And Care Tips
Tomatoes need full sun—at least 8 hours per day. They also need well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
Soil Preparation
- Test your soil pH. Tomatoes like 6.0 to 6.8.
- Add compost or aged manure before planting.
- Work in a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10.
- Consider raised beds if your soil is heavy clay.
Planting Depth
Plant tomatoes deep. Bury the stem up to the first set of true leaves. Roots will grow along the buried stem, making a stronger plant. This is key for our cool soil.
Watering
Water deeply and less often. Aim for 1-2 inches per week. Water at the base, not on leaves. Wet leaves promote disease. Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose.
Mulching
Mulch with straw or shredded leaves after the soil warms up. This keeps soil temperature steady, reduces weeds, and prevents soil splash on leaves.
Support
Use cages, stakes, or trellises. Determinate varieties do fine with cages. Indeterminate ones need staking or a trellis. Support plants early to avoid breakage later.
Dealing With Common Problems
New Hampshire’s cool, damp weather can cause issues. Here’s what to watch for.
Blight
Early blight and late blight are common. Signs are brown spots on leaves and stems. Prevent by spacing plants well, watering at the base, and using mulch. Remove infected leaves right away. Copper fungicide can help.
Blossom End Rot
This looks like a dark, sunken spot on the bottom of fruit. It’s from uneven watering or calcium deficiency. Keep soil evenly moist. Add calcium if needed.
Catfacing
Deformed fruit with scars. Caused by cold temps during flowering. Plant after soil warms. It’s mostly cosmetic and the fruit is still edible.
Slow Ripening
If fruits are green late in the season, prune back some leaves to let sun hit them. You can also pick green tomatoes and ripen them indoors. Put them in a paper bag with an apple or banana.
Extending The Season
You can get more tomatoes by using season extenders. These are simple tools that protect plants from cold.
Row Covers
Floating row covers add a few degrees of warmth. Use them in early spring and late fall. Remove them when flowers appear so bees can pollinate.
Cold Frames
A cold frame is a box with a glass or plastic top. It traps heat. You can start plants earlier or keep them later. Place it in a sunny spot.
Wall O’ Water
These are plastic tubes you fill with water. They surround the plant and absorb heat during the day, releasing it at night. Great for early planting.
Greenhouse Or High Tunnel
If you have space, a small greenhouse or high tunnel can give you a month or more of growing time. You can start plants in April and harvest into October.
Harvesting And Storing
Pick tomatoes when they’re fully colored but still firm. They’ll continue to ripen off the vine. For best flavor, let them ripen on the plant if possible.
Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature, not in the fridge. Cold ruins flavor and texture. If you have too many, freeze them whole or make sauce.
Green tomatoes can be picked before frost. Wrap them in newspaper and store in a cool, dark place. Check weekly and use as they ripen. Or fry them up green—a New Hampshire classic.
Recommended Varieties For Different Regions
New Hampshire has varied climates. The seacoast is milder. The mountains are colder. Here are tailored picks.
Seacoast Region
You have a longer season and warmer nights. Try Early Girl, Sun Gold, and Roma. You can also experiment with Brandywine if you start early.
Southern NH
Similar to seacoast but slightly cooler. Stupice, Glacier, and Matt’s Wild Cherry do well. San Marzano works if you use a wall o’ water.
Northern NH And White Mountains
Short, cool summers. Stick with Sub Arctic Plenty, Glacier, and Northern Lights. Use season extenders. Consider a cold frame.
Lakes Region
You have lake effect that can moderate temps. Try Bush Early Girl, Sophie’s Choice, and Black Cherry. Watch for blight in humid areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest tomato to grow in New Hampshire?
Early Girl is one of the easiest. It’s forgiving of cool temps and ripens fast. Sub Arctic Plenty is also very easy for beginners.
Can I grow heirloom tomatoes in New Hampshire?
Yes, but choose early-maturing ones like Stupice or Glacier. Many heirlooms need a long season, so check days to maturity. Stick with 75 days or less.
When should I plant tomatoes in New Hampshire?
After the last frost, usually mid to late May. For southern NH, aim for May 20. For northern areas, wait until June 1. Use a frost blanket if needed.
Do I need to prune tomato plants in New Hampshire?
Pruning helps air flow and reduces disease. For indeterminate varieties, remove suckers below the first flower cluster. For determinate, minimal pruning is needed.
How do I ripen green tomatoes at the end of the season?
Pick them before frost. Place in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Store in a cool, dark place. Check every few days. Or fry them green for a tasty treat.
Final Thoughts On Growing Tomatoes In New Hampshire
Growing tomatoes in New Hampshire is totaly doable if you pick the right varieties. Focus on early-maturing, cold-tolerant types. Use season extenders to get a head start. Pay attention to watering and disease prevention.
Remember, the best tomatoes to grow in new hampshire are the ones that ripen before frost. Start with Early Girl, Stupice, or Sun Gold. You’ll be enjoying fresh, homegrown tomatoes all summer long.
Dont be afraid to experiment. Try a few different varieties each year. Keep notes on what works in your specific microclimate. With a little planning, you can have a bountiful harvest even in our short season.
Happy gardening in the Granite State. Your taste buds will thank you.