In a recent article, I discussed 7 tomato varieties that will be added to my 2022 garden. These varieties will accompany the 6 tomato varieties from last year that made the cut. I have definitely started a bit of a tomato collection. I guess some people collect stamps or knick nacks, but I collect tomato seeds. It could be worse! In addition to the 13 already mentioned, I have at least 11 more tomato varieties that I plan to grow in 2022. Three of them will be mentioned in this article. These 3 varieties fall into a special class of tomatoes that haven’t been around all that long. They are the dwarf tomatoes.
What is a Dwarf Tomato?
Now, “what is a dwarf tomato?” you say. Good question! Most tomatoes are either indeterminate or determinate; the large majority being indeterminate. Indeterminate varieties grow to be an undetermined height. Usually, they range from 6 to 8 feet tall depending on growing conditions. They also produce an undetermined number of tomatoes from the first harvest until the time of the first frost. Most tomatoes in this category and produce unique colors, shapes, sizes, and superb flavors.
A determinate tomato, on the other hand, only grows to a pre-determined height; usually 4-5 feet tall. Additionally, a determinate tomato produces all of its fruit in a short period of time; usually about 2 weeks. Determinate tomatoes were desirable for commercial crops when canneries and farms wanted to harvest all the tomatoes at once. However, the flavor of determinate tomatoes has never been particularly special. Over the years, many gardeners with limited growing space have turned to determinate tomatoes. The results, however, tend to be disappointing. This is because most determinate tomatoes are rather uninspiring. Usually, they are plain red and lacking in flavor or variety.
Introducing The Dwarf Tomato Project
Eventually, in the early 2000s, it became evident to a group of avid tomato growers/breeders that something needed to be done. There were very few tomato varieties that could be grown in containers or small spaces. The determinate and so-called “dwarf” tomato varieties that did exist were lacking the flavor and inspiring characteristics of a typical heirloom tomato variety. Thus began the “Dwarf Tomato Project“. Growers in the Northern and Southern hemispheres teamed up to create new varieties ranging from 3-5 ft tall and packing a punch in flavor and variety.
Like their indeterminate counterparts, dwarf tomatoes produce throughout the season. In contrast, however, they have a more compact growth habit that resembles that of determinates. They are an excellent space-saving/container crop. Since 2005, 125 Dwarf tomato varieties have been released from the Dwarf Tomato Project. And, 3 of those will be in my garden this year. In fact, 2 of these varieties were just introduced commercially this year.
Introducing The Dwarf Tomatoes in my garden
1. Dwarf Mr. Snow
Dwarf Mr. Snow is the first of the dwarf tomato varieties to have caught my fancy. I read about the variety in the book “Epic Tomatoes” by Craig LeHoullier. The variety grows to be about 4 feet tall and produces almost ivory-colored fruit with a pale pink blossom end. Average fruit size ranges from 6 to 10 ounces. Dwarf Mr. Snow has rugose potato leaf foliage. The fruits are said to be “sprightly, balanced, full, and delicious” (Victory Seeds).
2. Dwarf Smiley Eagle Yellow
Dwarf Smiley Eagle Yellow is a variety I received from Craig Lehoullier. He explained that this variety was a new release from the Dwarf Tomato project and was about to be introduced by a seed company for the first time in 2022. Dwarf Smiley Eagle is a bright yellow cherry that produces loads of one-ounce fruits. Like many cherry tomatoes, they are described as “flavor bombs that explode in your mouth” (Victory Seeds).
3. Dwarf Gloria’s Treat
The last variety is Gloria’s Treat. This is quite a unique tomato that stands out from the rest of the ones I am growing, and not just because it’s a dwarf variety. Gloria’s Treat is a bi-colored heart-shaped tomato with a sweet, fruity flavor. The tomatoes range from 6 to 12 ounces and the plants have rugose potato leaves. I am really excited to see how these perform. Last year, I really enjoyed the Hungarian Heart Tomatoes we grew for their unique shape. Gloria’s Treat possesses not only fascinating heart shape tomatoes but also a striking red/orange streaky coloring.
The Dwarf Tomatoes: Perfect Candidates for Containers
One thing I’m especially excited to try with these dwarf tomato varieties is container growing. Last year I tried sticking a few tomatoes in grow bags. They did ok, but they really failed to thrive. I’m hoping that I can have better success with dwarf tomato varieties that are more compact and “containable”. I will be trying some in-ground, in grow bags, and in other containers.
