Best Tomatoes To Grow In Wisconsin

Wisconsin gardeners should select tomatoes with resistance to late blight and tolerance for humid summers. Finding the best tomatoes to grow in wisconsin means focusing on short-season varieties that ripen before the first frost hits in early fall. Your growing window is tight, so choosing the right tomato type can make or break your harvest.

Wisconsin’s climate is tricky for tomatoes. Cool nights, humid days, and sudden rain storms can stress plants. But with the right picks, you can enjoy juicy tomatoes from August through September. Let’s break down the top varieties that thrive in your state.

When we talk about the best tomatoes to grow in wisconsin, we look at three key factors: days to maturity, disease resistance, and cold tolerance. Most Wisconsin gardens are in USDA zones 4b to 5b, which means you have about 100 to 120 frost-free days. That’s not a lot of time for tomatoes to develop full flavor.

Here are the top performing varieties for Wisconsin gardens, based on real grower experience and university trials.

Early Season Tomatoes For Short Summers

Early tomatoes are your best bet for a reliable harvest. They set fruit quickly and ripen before late blight becomes a problem. These varieties mature in 50 to 65 days from transplanting.

Early Girl – Matures in 50 days. Produces medium-sized red fruits with classic tomato flavor. Very reliable in cool springs.
Sub Arctic Plenty – Matures in 45 days. Small red fruits that set even in cold weather. Great for northern Wisconsin.
Stupice – Matures in 52 days. A Czech heirloom that handles cool temps well. Produces 2-3 ounce fruits with rich taste.
Glacier – Matures in 48 days. Bred for cold climates. Fruits are small but flavorful.
Siberian – Matures in 50 days. Very cold tolerant. Produces red cherry-sized tomatoes.

Plant these early varieties as soon as soil temps reach 60°F. Use black plastic mulch to warm the soil faster. You can start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.

Main Season Tomatoes With Blight Resistance

Late blight is the biggest threat to Wisconsin tomato plants. It spreads fast in humid conditions and can wipe out your crop in days. Choose varieties bred for resistance to this disease.

Mountain Merit – Resistant to late blight, early blight, and fusarium wilt. Produces 8-10 ounce red fruits. Matures in 70 days.
Defiant PhR – Bred specifically for late blight resistance. Medium-sized red tomatoes. Matures in 65 days.
Iron Lady – Excellent late blight resistance. Produces 6-8 ounce fruits with good flavor. Matures in 75 days.
Plum Regal – A paste tomato with strong blight resistance. Good for sauces and canning. Matures in 75 days.
Jasper – A cherry tomato with late blight resistance. Very productive. Matures in 60 days.

Even with resistant varieties, practice good garden hygiene. Remove lower leaves, water at soil level, and space plants for air flow. This reduces humidity around the foliage.

Heirloom Tomatoes That Work In Wisconsin

Heirlooms have amazing flavor but often lack disease resistance. However, some heirlooms perform well in Wisconsin’s climate if you give them extra care. Choose determinate or semi-determinate types that ripen faster.

Brandywine (Sudduth’s Strain) – Classic beefsteak flavor. Needs 85 days, so start early. Use black plastic and row covers.
Cherokee Purple – Dark, rich flavor. Matures in 80 days. Does better in southern Wisconsin.
Amish Paste – A reliable paste tomato. Matures in 75 days. Good for sauces.
Yellow Pear – A cherry tomato that produces all season. Matures in 70 days. Very productive.
Black Krim – Russian heirloom that tolerates cool nights. Matures in 75 days. Unique smoky flavor.

Heirlooms need more attention. Stake them well, mulch heavily, and watch for signs of blight. If you see spots on leaves, remove them immediately.

Cherry And Grape Tomatoes For Wisconsin

Cherry tomatoes are the most reliable for Wisconsin gardens. They ripen fast, produce heavily, and resist diseases better than large-fruited types. Kids love picking them right off the vine.

Sun Gold – Orange cherry tomato with incredible sweetness. Matures in 57 days. Very productive.
Sweet 100 – Red cherry tomato that produces clusters of fruit. Matures in 60 days.
Black Cherry – Dark purple cherry with rich flavor. Matures in 65 days.
Matt’s Wild Cherry – Tiny red fruits with intense flavor. Matures in 60 days. Very disease resistant.
Isis Candy – Bi-colored cherry with sweet taste. Matures in 65 days.

Cherry tomatoes are also great for containers. Grow them on a sunny patio or deck. Use large pots with drainage holes and quality potting mix.

Paste And Sauce Tomatoes For Canning

If you love making sauces, salsas, or canned tomatoes, choose paste varieties. They have less water content and thicker flesh. These are perfect for Wisconsin’s shorter season because many mature in 70-80 days.

Roma – Classic paste tomato. Matures in 75 days. Reliable and productive.
San Marzano – Italian heirloom for sauces. Matures in 80 days. Needs staking.
Viva Italia – Hybrid paste with good disease resistance. Matures in 70 days.
La Roma – Compact plants good for small spaces. Matures in 72 days.
Opalka – Polish heirloom with long fruits. Matures in 80 days.

Paste tomatoes are determinate, meaning they ripen all at once. This is great for canning sessions. Plant them in full sun and provide consistent water.

How To Grow Tomatoes Successfully In Wisconsin

Growing tomatoes in Wisconsin requires some specific techniques. The climate presents challenges, but with the right approach, you can get a bountiful harvest.

Start Seeds Indoors

Wisconsin’s growing season is short. Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a head start. Begin 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. For most of Wisconsin, that’s around mid-April.

Use seed starting mix in clean containers.
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep.
Keep soil moist and warm (70-80°F).
Provide 14-16 hours of light daily.
Transplant to larger pots after true leaves appear.
Harden off plants for 7-10 days before planting outside.

Prepare Your Garden Bed

Tomatoes need well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Wisconsin soil can be heavy clay or sandy, depending on your region. Amend it with compost or aged manure before planting.

Choose a spot with full sun (at least 8 hours daily).
Test soil pH. Aim for 6.0 to 6.8.
Add 2-3 inches of compost and work it in.
Use raised beds if your soil is heavy clay.
Warm soil with black plastic for 2 weeks before planting.

Plant At The Right Time

Don’t rush to plant. Tomatoes are sensitive to cold. Wait until soil temperature reaches 60°F and all frost danger has passed. In southern Wisconsin, that’s usually mid-May. In northern areas, wait until late May or early June.

Plant tomatoes deep. Bury the stem up to the first set of leaves. This encourages strong root growth. Space plants 24-36 inches apart for good air circulation.

Provide Support

Tomatoes need support to keep fruit off the ground and improve air flow. This reduces disease problems. Use cages, stakes, or trellises.

Sturdy cages work best for determinate varieties.
Stake indeterminate types with 6-foot posts.
Tie stems loosely with soft cloth or twine.
Prune suckers on indeterminate plants for better air flow.

Water And Mulch Correctly

Watering is critical in Wisconsin’s humid climate. Too much water on leaves promotes blight. Water at the base of plants using drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

Water deeply 1-2 times per week.
Water in the morning so leaves dry during the day.
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around plants.
Mulch prevents soil splash that spreads disease.

Fertilize For Production

Tomatoes are heavy feeders. But too much nitrogen causes lush leaves and few fruits. Use a balanced fertilizer or one formulated for tomatoes.

Mix slow-release fertilizer into soil at planting.
Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer when fruits start forming.
Use liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during fruiting.
Avoid high-nitrogen formulas.

Manage Pests And Diseases

Wisconsin tomatoes face several pests and diseases. Late blight is the most serious. Early blight, septoria leaf spot, and hornworms are also common.

Rotate crops yearly. Don’t plant tomatoes in the same spot for 3 years.
Remove lower leaves to prevent soil contact.
Inspect plants weekly for hornworms. Hand pick them off.
Use copper fungicide if blight appears.
Remove and destroy infected plants immediately.

Extending Your Harvest

With Wisconsin’s short season, you want to maximize your harvest. Use these techniques to get tomatoes longer into fall.

Use Season Extenders

Row covers, cold frames, and wall o’ water can protect plants from cool temperatures. Use them in spring and fall to extend your season by several weeks.

Row covers add 5-10°F of frost protection.
Wall o’ water surrounds each plant with warm water.
Cold frames work for small plantings.
Remove covers during warm days to prevent overheating.

Harvest Green Tomatoes

When frost threatens in late September, pick all green tomatoes. They ripen indoors over several weeks. Store them in a cool, dark place.

Pick tomatoes before frost hits.
Remove stems and wash gently.
Place in single layer in cardboard boxes.
Keep at 55-70°F.
Check weekly and use ripe ones.

Green tomatoes also make great fried green tomatoes, pickles, and relishes. Don’t let them go to waste.

Regional Considerations For Wisconsin

Wisconsin has different growing zones. What works in Milwaukee may not work in Superior. Adjust your choices based on your location.

Southern Wisconsin (Zones 5A-5b)

Southern Wisconsin has a longer growing season. You can grow main season tomatoes like Big Boy, Better Boy, and Celebrity. Heirlooms like Brandywine and Cherokee Purple do well here with proper care.

Plant in mid-May. You can also try fall planting for a second crop. Use row covers in early fall to protect from early frosts.

Central Wisconsin (Zones 4B-5a)

Central Wisconsin has a shorter season. Stick with early and mid-season varieties. Early Girl, Stupice, and Mountain Merit are good choices. Cherry tomatoes are very reliable here.

Plant in late May. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Consider raised beds for better drainage.

Northern Wisconsin (Zones 3B-4a)

Northern Wisconsin has the shortest season. Only early varieties will ripen reliably. Sub Arctic Plenty, Glacier, and Siberian are must-haves. Cherry tomatoes like Sun Gold also work.

Plant in early June. Use all season extenders you can. Wall o’ water and row covers are essential. Choose a south-facing slope for extra warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest tomato to grow in Wisconsin?

Cherry tomatoes like Sun Gold or Sweet 100 are the easiest. They ripen fast, produce heavily, and resist diseases better than large tomatoes. Even beginners get good harvests.

Can I grow heirloom tomatoes in Wisconsin?

Yes, but choose early-maturing heirlooms like Stupice or Amish Paste. Provide extra care with staking, mulching, and disease prevention. Start seeds indoors early for best results.

When should I plant tomatoes in Wisconsin?

Wait until after the last frost date. In southern Wisconsin, plant around mid-May. In northern areas, wait until late May or early June. Soil should be at least 60°F.

How do I prevent late blight on my tomatoes?

Choose resistant varieties like Mountain Merit or Defiant PhR. Water at soil level, space plants for air flow, and remove lower leaves. Apply copper fungicide preventatively if blight is common in your area.

What tomatoes grow best in containers in Wisconsin?

Compact varieties like Patio Princess, Bush Early Girl, and Tumbling Tom work well. Cherry tomatoes also thrive in containers. Use large pots with drainage and quality potting mix.

Final Tips For Wisconsin Tomato Growers

Growing tomatoes in Wisconsin is rewarding but requires planning. Start with the right varieties for your zone. Use season extenders to maximize your harvest. Practice good disease prevention from day one.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try a new variety each year. Keep notes on what works in your garden. Talk to local gardeners and extension agents for advice specific to your area.

With the right choices and care, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown tomatoes even in Wisconsin’s challenging climate. The taste of a sun-warmed tomato from your own garden is worth the effort. Start planning now for your best tomato season yet.