Best Tomatoes To Grow In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s variable weather patterns, from humid summers to cool springs, favor tomato varieties that are both disease-resistant and adaptable. When you are looking for the best tomatoes to grow in pennsylvania, you need varieties that can handle sudden temperature shifts and resist common fungal issues. This guide will walk you through the top choices for your garden, from early slicers to paste tomatoes for canning.

Tomatoes are the heart of a Pennsylvania summer garden. But not every variety thrives here. The key is picking types bred for the Northeast’s specific challenges. Let’s get straight to the best options for your Keystone State plot.

Choosing the right tomato starts with understanding your local growing season. Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5 through 7. This means your last frost date can vary by weeks. Northern areas near Erie have shorter seasons. Southern counties near Philadelphia enjoy longer, warmer summers.

For reliable harvests, focus on determinate or semi-determinate varieties. These plants set fruit over a few weeks, making them perfect for canning and sauce. Indeterminate types keep growing all season, giving you a steady supply of fresh tomatoes until frost.

Top Early Season Tomatoes For Short Summers

If you live in the northern tier or the Poconos, you need tomatoes that ripen fast. Look for varieties that mature in under 70 days. These plants can beat the first fall frost.

Early Girl – This classic hybrid ripens in about 62 days. It produces medium-sized red fruits with good flavor. It handles cool nights well.
Sub Arctic Plenty – A true cold-tolerant variety. It sets fruit even in chilly weather. Matures in just 45 to 50 days. The fruits are small but abundant.
Stupice – A Czech heirloom that thrives in cooler climates. It produces 2-inch red fruits with rich taste. Ready in 55 to 60 days.
Glacier – Another cold-hardy option. It produces small, sweet tomatoes in about 55 days. Perfect for northern Pennsylvania gardens.

Disease Resistant Hybrids For Humid Summers

Pennsylvania summers are humid. This creates perfect conditions for blight and wilt. Choose hybrids with built-in resistance. Look for letters like V, F, N, T, and SW on seed packets. These stand for Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Nematodes, Tobacco mosaic virus, and Stemphylium.

Celebrity – A reliable hybrid with VFFNTA resistance. It produces large, firm fruits. Great for slicing and sandwiches. Matures in 70 days.
Better Boy – This plant yields big, flavorful tomatoes. It has VFN resistance. Fruits often weigh 12 to 16 ounces. Ready in 72 days.
Big Beef – An All-America Selections winner. It offers VFFNTA resistance. Produces large, beefsteak-type tomatoes. Matures in 73 days.
Mountain Merit – Bred for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. It resists late blight and other diseases. Fruits are medium-sized and firm. Ready in 75 days.

Heirloom Tomatoes That Actually Perform

Many gardeners love heirlooms for their flavor. But some heirlooms struggle in Pennsylvania’s humidity. Stick with proven performers. These varieties have a track record of success in the region.

Brandywine – The classic Amish heirloom. It produces huge, pink fruits with incredible taste. Needs a long season (80 to 90 days). Best for southern Pennsylvania.
Cherokee Purple – A dark, dusky tomato with sweet, smoky flavor. It handles heat better than many heirlooms. Matures in 80 days.
Amish Paste – A paste tomato with rich flavor. It produces meaty fruits perfect for sauces. Resists cracking better than other paste types. Ready in 80 days.
German Johnson – A large, pink beefsteak. It produces well even in less-than-ideal conditions. Matures in 80 to 85 days.

Best Cherry And Grape Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are the easiest to grow in Pennsylvania. They produce heavily and resist many diseases. Plus, they ripen quickly, giving you harvests even in short seasons.

Sun Gold – The gold standard for flavor. These orange cherry tomatoes are incredibly sweet. They produce clusters of fruit all summer. Ready in 57 days.
Sweet 100 – A classic red cherry tomato. It produces long trusses of fruit. Very productive and disease-resistant. Matures in 65 days.
Jasper – A red cherry tomato bred for disease resistance. It resists late blight, a common problem in Pennsylvania. Ready in 60 days.
Black Cherry – A dark, rich-flavored cherry tomato. It produces well in heat and humidity. Matures in 70 days.

Paste Tomatoes For Canning And Sauce

If you plan to can or make sauce, choose paste tomatoes. These have less water and more flesh. They cook down quickly into thick sauces. Pennsylvania’s climate suits many paste varieties.

Roma – The classic paste tomato. It produces heavy yields of egg-shaped fruits. Resists cracking and disease. Ready in 75 days.
San Marzano – The Italian favorite. It produces long, pointed fruits with sweet flavor. Needs staking for best results. Matures in 80 days.
Pozzano – A hybrid San Marzano type. It offers better disease resistance than the heirloom. Produces high yields. Ready in 75 days.
Opalka – A Polish heirloom paste tomato. It produces large, meaty fruits with few seeds. Great for sauce. Matures in 80 days.

How To Plant Tomatoes In Pennsylvania

Timing is everything. Wait until after your last frost date. In most of Pennsylvania, this is mid-May. But check your local extension service for exact dates. Soil temperature should be at least 60°F.

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting. Use a quality seed-starting mix. Keep seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny window. Harden them off gradually over a week before transplanting.

When planting, bury the stem deep. Tomatoes can root along the stem. Remove the lower leaves and plant up to the first set of true leaves. This encourages a strong root system.

Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart. Give them room for air circulation. This reduces disease risk. Use cages or stakes from the start. It’s harder to add support later.

Soil Preparation And Fertilizer

Tomatoes need rich, well-draining soil. Test your soil pH. Aim for 6.0 to 6.8. Add lime if your soil is too acidic. Add sulfur if it’s too alkaline.

Work in 2 to 3 inches of compost before planting. This adds organic matter and nutrients. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. They produce lots of leaves but few fruits. Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or a tomato-specific formula.

Side-dress with fertilizer when fruits start to form. Apply a tablespoon of 10-10-10 per plant. Water it in well. Repeat every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Watering And Mulching

Water deeply and consistently. Tomatoes need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering causes blossom end rot and cracking. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Avoid overhead watering, which spreads disease.

Mulch around plants with straw or shredded leaves. Mulch keeps soil moist and cool. It also prevents soil from splashing onto leaves. This reduces blight risk.

Common Tomato Problems In Pennsylvania

Even with the best varieties, problems can arise. Here are the most common issues and how to handle them.

Late Blight – This fungal disease thrives in cool, wet weather. It causes dark spots on leaves and fruit. Prevent by planting resistant varieties like Jasper or Mountain Merit. Remove infected plants immediately.
Blossom End Rot – A dark, leathery spot on the bottom of fruit. It’s caused by calcium deficiency and inconsistent watering. Keep soil evenly moist. Add calcium to the soil before planting.
Hornworms – Large green caterpillars that eat leaves and fruit. Hand-pick them off plants. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if infestations are heavy.
Septoria Leaf Spot – Small spots with dark borders on lower leaves. It spreads in wet weather. Remove affected leaves. Use fungicide if needed.
Catfacing – Deformed, scarred fruit. It’s caused by cold temperatures during flowering. Plant later in the season. Choose varieties less prone to this issue.

Extending The Season

Pennsylvania’s growing season is short for some varieties. You can extend it with simple techniques. Use row covers or cloches to protect plants from early cold. These add a few degrees of warmth.

Build raised beds. Soil warms faster in raised beds. This allows earlier planting. Use black plastic mulch to warm the soil. It also suppresses weeds and conserves moisture.

For late-season harvests, plant determinate varieties in July. They will mature before the first frost. Or use cold frames to protect plants in fall. You can often harvest into October with protection.

Harvesting And Storing

Pick tomatoes when they are fully colored but still firm. They continue to ripen off the vine. Store them at room temperature, not in the fridge. Refrigeration ruins flavor and texture.

If frost threatens, pick all green tomatoes. Wrap them in newspaper and store in a cool, dark place. They will ripen slowly over weeks. Use green tomatoes for frying or pickling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest tomato to grow in Pennsylvania?

Celebrity is one of the easiest. It resists many diseases and produces reliable yields. It grows well in most soil types and handles humidity.

Can I grow heirloom tomatoes in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but choose carefully. Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, and Amish Paste perform well. Avoid heirlooms bred for dry climates. They often struggle with humidity.

When should I plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania?

Plant after the last frost, usually mid-May. Check your local frost dates. Soil should be at least 60°F. Use a soil thermometer to be sure.

How do I prevent blight on my tomatoes?

Plant disease-resistant varieties. Space plants for good air flow. Water at soil level, not on leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Remove infected leaves promptly.

What are the best determinate tomatoes for Pennsylvania?

Roma, Celebrity, and Mountain Merit are top choices. They set fruit over a short period, making them ideal for canning. They also resist common diseases.

Growing tomatoes in Pennsylvania is rewarding when you choose the right varieties. Start with disease-resistant hybrids for reliability. Add a few heirlooms for flavor. Use proper planting and care techniques. You will enjoy fresh tomatoes from July through October. Experiment with different types each year. Your garden will thank you.