Do you want to grow the sweetest tomatoes in your garden? Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow at home. You can enjoy fresh tomatoes straight off the stem, add them to your salad or cook them into your sauces. However, not every variety will taste and look the same.
In general, most of the smaller varieties will carry the most sweetness. Not sure which variant you want to grow? Here’s our guide to sweetest tomatoes.
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How to Measure Sweetness
You can tell the sweetness of a tomato through a Brix rating. Brix ratings measure the sugar content of products like wine, honey, juice and of course, tomatoes.
In products like tomato juice, tomatoes need to carry a Brix rating of at least 4.5. However, common varieties of fresh tomatoes will sit anywhere between 3.5 and 5.5.
On average, tomatoes with high levels of acidity and sugar offer the best flavor. Still, we’re not looking for your average tomato. When you want sweet tomatoes, you’ll want something which is measuring at least 6 and above.
What is the Sweetest Tomato?
The sweetest tomatoes you’ll find are cherry or plum tomato which has a Brix rating anywhere between 6 and 10. There are 5 different varieties which rank highest:
Rosada Tomatoes
Rosada tomatoes are of the baby plum variety and are by far the sweetest tomato variety you can grow. With a Brix rating of 10.5, they are absolutely delectable.
When growing Rosada tomatoes be sure to give them plenty of sunlight throughout the day and plant them into chalk or clay soil. This variety does incredibly well in greenhouses and gardens.
Plus, it’s flowers produce nectar rich pollen which will help to support the bees in your community. Exceptionally flavorful, Rosada tomatoes grow into an oblong, oval shape and have a slightly thicker skin.
Apero Tomatoes
Apero tomatoes are a fantastic cherry tomato variety that offer a wonderfully zesty and sweet flavor. With a Brix rating of 9.5 they’re almost as sweet as Rosada tomatoes.
When growing this variety, ensure you give it full sun and plant it loamy and sandy soil. Apero tomatoes have a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness and grow well alongside basil, chives and mint.
Floridity Tomatoes
This mini-plum variety of tomatoes also has a Brix rating of 9.5. This variety is a great option as they are extremely hardy and grow vigorously.
They’re not frost hardy so be sure to keep your plants protected whether inside or outdoors. Floridity tomatoes have an outstanding flavor and grow as much as 7 inches tall.
Sakura Tomatoes
Ranking slightly lower, Sakura tomatoes are fantastic and a very common option for beginner growers. This flavorful and firm fruit comes in with a Brix rating of 8.8.
Sakura tomatoes are vigorous growers and are extremely high-yielding. Plus, this variety does well in both cold and warm temperatures and is amazingly disease resistant.
It also grows well in tight spaces, so you can have them happily growing indoors. Sakura tomatoes grow into medium-large, shiny red cherry tomatoes and can grow as tall as 7 to 8 inches tall.
Sungold Tomatoes
Sungold tomatoes are sweet, small and a stunning yellow color when ripe. Their color also makes them a very popular option for grower’s. They’re tangy and sweet and come in at a Brix rating of 9.3.
This variety needs at least 6 hours of solid sun and will turn a golden orange only when ready to be picked. Sungold tomatoes not only offer a difference in color but also stay firmer than most other cherry tomato varieties.
Growing Tomato Tips
Tomatoes really aren’t that difficult to grow, and germination can take as little as 7 days. Unless you’re looking for a specific variety, you can simply take the seeds from an existing tomato fruit.
Always be sure to pay attention to the level of sun, soil and water to keep your cherry tomatoes happy. Also, be attentive to signs of tomato blossom end rot.
Providing Enough Sunlight
Tomatoes enjoy a lot of sun. So, even if growing indoors, keep them in a fairly sunny spot. In general, seedlings don’t do well in cold and frost so try to keep them indoors or in a greenhouse if still sprouting in colder months.
Wait until your little plants are at least 6 to 10 inches tall before moving them outdoors.
Maintaining Your Soil
When it comes to soil, the most important thing is that it's well-draining. Waterlogged soil is super problematic. On average, try to maintain a PH balance between 6.2 to 6.5.
Be sure to improve your soil quality with regular fertilizing, a 10-20-10 balanced fertilizer is recommended. When planting in soil make sure you keep them well-spaced to allow plenty of room to grow.
Watering Your Tomatoes
On average, you should be watering your cherry tomato plant at least every two or three days. In extremely hot and dry weather, you can water as often as every second day.
Some people will put up a tomato cage that helps your vines grow into a uniform shape and make it easier when they are ready to harvest. You can also just use a stake or tall stick.
Harvesting the Sweetest Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry or plum tomatoes will generally begin to flower within a month, a few weeks later you should see little fruits beginning to grow on the stems.
Once your tomatoes are ripe, they should come off of the stem fairly easily. If you’re noticing some resistance, leave them on for a few more days to ripen fully.
Not all fruits will ripen at the same time, so checking in and harvesting individual fruits every day is probably the best way to go.
Your tomato plant should produce fruits right up until the winter season. If growing outdoors in frost-prone areas, consider covering your plants with a sheet or mesh cover.
Wrapping Up Our Sweetest Tomatoes Guide
Whichever variety you decide to grow, always keep in mind that the cherry/plum varieties will offer a lot more sweetness than the others.
Take care to keep the soil moist but never waterlogged, and free from extreme cold and frost. For the sweetest tomatoes, think small and succulent!
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