Best Tomatoes to Grow in Idaho
Idaho sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 5. These 88 tomato varieties are suited to Idaho's 155-day growing season with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 5.
Varieties
88
for Idaho
USDA Zone
5
155-day season
Beginner
40
easy to grow
Heirloom
44
heritage varieties
Idaho in USDA Zone 5
Idaho is primarily in Zone 5. Varieties that thrive in this zone will typically grow well across the state, though local microclimates vary.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Idaho
Growing Tomatoes in Idaho
Zone 5 offers a sweet spot for tomato growing – long enough summers to ripen full-size varieties, but short enough that you need to choose wisely. With your 155-day growing season stretching from late April through early October, you have excellent opportunities for both determinate and indeterminate varieties, but late-season types like some heirlooms can push their luck against that October 5th frost date. The key challenges you'll face are getting plants established after that final April frost risk and ensuring your longer-season varieties have time to produce before fall's arrival.
When selecting varieties for Zone 5, prioritize disease resistance and days to maturity over exotic varieties that might not finish. Look for tomatoes that mature in 70-85 days for your main crop, with some early varieties (60-70 days) to get that first harvest by mid-July. The varieties I've selected below have proven themselves in Zone 5 gardens – they handle the temperature swings of late spring, produce reliably through summer heat, and most importantly, they'll give you a solid harvest before frost threatens your plants.
Variety Comparison
| Variety ↑ | Days | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ace 55 | 80-85 | Easy |
| Ace 56 | 70-75 | Easy |
| Amish Paste | 80-90 | Moderate |
| Arkansas Traveler | 80-90 | Easy |
| Atomic Grape | 70-80 | Moderate |
| Beefsteak | 85-90 | Moderate to challenging |
| Better Boy | 70-75 | Easy |
| Better Bush | 68-75 | Easy |
| Big Beef | 70 | Moderate |
| Big Boy | 78-85 | Easy to Moderate |
| Black Beauty | 70-80 | Easy to Moderate |
| Black Cherry | 64 | Moderate |
| Black Krim | 80-90 | Moderate |
| Brandywine | 78 | Difficult |
| Brandywine Pink | 85-100 | Moderate to difficult |
| Brandywine Red | 85-100 | Challenging |
| Burpee's Big Boy | 78-85 | Easy |
| Burpee's Big Girl | 78-85 | Easy |
| Campari | 70-80 | Easy to Moderate |
| Carmello | 75-80 | Moderate |
| Celebrity | 60 | Easy |
| Cherokee Purple | 80-90 | Moderate |
| Cherry Belle | 65-70 | Easy |
| Cherry Roma | 75-85 | Easy |
| Chocolate Cherry | 65-75 | Moderate |
| Chocolate Stripes | 85-95 | Moderate to difficult |
| Container Choice Red | 70-75 | Easy |
| Costoluto Genovese | 80-90 | Moderate |
| Determinate Cherry | 65-70 | Easy |
| Determinate Paste | 75-80 | Easy |
| Determinate Patio | 70-75 | Easy |
| Determinate Roma | 75-80 | Easy |
| Early Girl | 60 | Easy |
| Fourth of July | 49-55 | Easy |
| Garden Peach | 75-80 | Easy to Moderate |
| German Johnson | 80-90 | Moderate to Challenging |
| German Pink | 85-95 | Moderate to Challenging |
| German Red Strawberry | 80-85 | Moderate |
| Grape | 60 | Easy |
| Grape Tomato | 60 | Easy |
| Grape Tomato Red | 65-75 | Easy |
| Green Zebra | 72 | Moderate |
| Heirloom Beefsteak Mix | 80-95 | Moderate to challenging |
| Heirloom Black Cherry | 65-75 | Moderate |
| Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green | 85-95 | Moderate |
| Heirloom Marriage Genuwine | 80-85 | Moderate |
| Hillbilly | 85-90 | Moderate |
| Homestead 24 | 80-85 | Easy |
| Husky Gold | 70-80 | Easy |
| Indigo Rose | 65 | Easy to moderate |
| Iron Lady | 75-80 | Easy |
| Jet Star | 72-78 | Easy |
| Juliet | 60 | Easy to Moderate |
| Kellogg's Breakfast | 85-95 | Moderate |
| Lemon Drop | 75-80 | Easy to moderate |
| Marglobe | 75-85 | Easy to moderate |
| Matt's Wild Cherry | 60 | Easy |
| Moneymaker | 75-85 | Easy |
| Mortgage Lifter | 80-85 | Moderate |
| Mortgage Lifter Pink | 85-95 | Moderate to difficult |
| Moskvich | 60 | Easy |
| Mountain Fresh Plus | 75 | Easy to Moderate |
| Mountain Pride | 75-80 | Easy to moderate |
| Oxheart | 85-95 | Moderate to Challenging |
| Patio | 55 | Easy |
| Patio Princess | 70-75 | Easy |
| Paul Robeson | 90-95 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Phoenix | 68-72 | Easy |
| Pineapple | 85-95 | Moderate |
| Red Robin | 55-65 | Very Easy |
| Roma | 60-65 | Easy |
| Roma VF | 75-80 | Easy |
| Rutgers | 75-85 | Easy |
| San Marzano | 80-90 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Striped German | 78 | Moderate to Advanced |
| Stupice | 60-65 | Easy to moderate |
| Sun Gold | 57 | Easy to moderate |
| Super Sweet 100 | 65-70 | Easy |
| Surefire Red | 50-65 | Easy |
| Sweet 100 | 60 | Easy to Moderate |
| Sweet Million | 65-70 | Easy |
| Taxi | 64-70 | Easy |
| Tiny Tim | 45-60 | Easy |
| Tumbling Tom | 65-70 | Easy |
| Valencia | 76 | Moderate |
| Wisconsin 55 | 75-80 | Easy to moderate |
| Yellow Brandywine | 85-95 | Moderate to difficult |
| Yellow Pear | 75-80 | Easy |
Variety Details
Ace 55
A reliable determinate variety developed specifically for hot, humid climates where other tomatoes struggle. This workhorse produces abundant medium-sized red fruits that ripen consistently even in challenging weather conditions. Perfect for beginning gardeners who want dependable harvests without fuss.
Ace 56
Developed specifically for hot, humid climates where other tomatoes struggle, Ace 56 is a heat-tolerant determinate variety that produces reliable crops even in challenging conditions. This compact plant delivers medium-sized, meaty fruits with excellent flavor, making it ideal for Southern gardens and areas with intense summer heat.
Amish Paste
A treasured heirloom paste tomato from the Amish communities of Pennsylvania, prized for its incredibly meaty texture and rich flavor. These large, oxheart-shaped fruits contain minimal seeds and juice, making them perfect for sauces, pastes, and preserving. Amish Paste combines the best qualities of paste tomatoes with enough flavor complexity to enjoy fresh.
Arkansas Traveler
This tough Southern heirloom was specifically bred to handle hot, humid summers and still produce delicious tomatoes when other varieties give up. Developed at the University of Arkansas, it's famous for setting fruit even in extreme heat and humidity while maintaining excellent flavor and disease resistance. Perfect for gardeners in challenging climates who want reliable, flavorful tomatoes all season long.
Atomic Grape
A stunning cherry tomato that delivers incredible flavor in beautiful purple and red striped packages. These elongated fruits offer an exceptional sweet-tart balance that makes them irresistible for fresh eating. The vigorous indeterminate vines produce prolific harvests of these colorful conversation-starters throughout the season.
Beefsteak
The classic giant of the tomato world, producing massive fruits that can weigh over a pound each. These impressive slicing tomatoes have been a garden favorite for generations, offering substantial, meaty slices perfect for sandwiches and burgers. Their size and reliable production make them a must-have for gardeners who want to impress with truly spectacular harvests.
Better Boy
One of the most popular hybrid tomatoes for good reason - this reliable performer produces heavy yields of large, flavorful fruits with excellent disease resistance. Perfect for beginner gardeners who want guaranteed success and experienced growers who appreciate consistent performance. The classic red slicing tomato that delivers on both quantity and quality.
Better Bush
An award-winning compact determinate variety specifically bred for container gardening and small spaces without sacrificing fruit quality. This bush-type plant produces full-sized, meaty tomatoes on a sturdy 4-foot plant that rarely needs staking. Perfect for patio gardeners and beginners who want reliable, heavy yields in limited space.
Big Beef
Still unsurpassed as the top choice for fresh market beefsteak tomatoes. Large, avg. 10-12 oz., mostly blemish-free, globe-shaped red fruit. They have full flavor - among the best - and ripen early for their size. Broad disease resistance package. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Big Boy
America's most famous hybrid tomato, introduced in 1949 and still a top choice for gardeners seeking reliable, large red tomatoes with classic flavor. This dependable variety consistently produces smooth, round fruits weighing up to a pound each, making it perfect for gardeners who want the satisfaction of growing impressive tomatoes without the challenges of finicky heirlooms.
Black Beauty
A stunning purple-black tomato that combines the visual drama of dark anthocyanin pigments with exceptional flavor and improved disease resistance. These medium-sized fruits offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with a hint of smokiness that makes them irresistible for fresh eating. The dark coloration indicates high antioxidant content, making them as nutritious as they are delicious.
Black Cherry
Bred in Florida by the late Vince Sapp, the round, 20 gm. fruits are a pleasant purple-brown color. Regarded as one of the best-tasting tomatoes. High yielding. Try as we may, we haven't found a hybrid that can beat Black Cherry. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Black Krim
An exotic Russian heirloom that produces stunning dark purple-black tomatoes with green shoulders and deep red flesh. Originally from the Black Sea region, these medium-large beefsteaks offer a complex, rich flavor with smoky undertones that tomato connoisseurs absolutely rave about. Their unique appearance and gourmet taste make them conversation starters at any garden gathering.
Brandywine
We describe Brandywine's luscious, heirloom flavor as "very rich, loud, and distinctively spicy." The large fruits, often over 1 lb., have a deep pink skin and smooth red flesh. The medium-tall, potato-leaf plant is best staked or caged. Our 'Quisenberry' strain is considered among the best. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Brandywine Pink
Often called the 'king of heirloom tomatoes,' this Amish variety from the 1880s produces massive pink fruits with an incomparable old-fashioned tomato flavor. The large, ribbed beefsteaks can weigh over a pound each and deliver the rich, complex taste that modern hybrids often lack. A must-grow for any serious tomato lover seeking the ultimate slicing tomato.
Brandywine Red
The gold standard of heirloom beefsteak tomatoes, Brandywine Red has been captivating gardeners since the 1880s with its extraordinary flavor and massive size. These pink-red giants can weigh over a pound each and offer the perfect balance of sweet and acidic notes that define what a tomato should taste like. A true slice-and-serve variety that transforms any sandwich or salad into a gourmet experience.
Burpee's Big Boy
A legendary hybrid beefsteak tomato that has been America's favorite large slicing tomato for over 50 years. Produces massive 1-pound fruits with exceptional disease resistance and reliable yields. Perfect for gardeners who want guaranteed success with impressive sandwich-worthy tomatoes.
Burpee's Big Girl
A reliable and productive hybrid that combines the large fruit size of beefsteak varieties with excellent disease resistance. Big Girl produces smooth, crack-resistant tomatoes that are perfect for slicing, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners who want consistent results with minimal fuss.
Campari
This premium greenhouse-type tomato brings gourmet flavor and perfect texture to the home garden with cocktail-sized fruits that are incredibly sweet and juicy. Popular in high-end grocery stores, Campari tomatoes have thin skins, meaty flesh, and virtually no seeds, making them perfect for fresh eating. They're disease-resistant workhorses that produce clusters of these restaurant-quality tomatoes all season.
Carmello
A premium French hybrid renowned for producing exceptionally flavorful, perfectly round fruits that rival the best heirloom tomatoes for taste. This indeterminate variety combines old-world European flavor with modern disease resistance and reliability. Professional chefs and discerning gardeners prize Carmello for its consistently outstanding flavor and beautiful appearance.
Celebrity
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Cherokee Purple
A beloved heirloom tomato originating from Tennessee Cherokee tribes. Known for its distinctive dusky purple-pink color and complex, rich flavor that many consider the best-tasting tomato available. The large beefsteak fruits are perfect for fresh eating and showcase everything that makes heirloom tomatoes special.
Cherry Belle
A prolific cherry tomato that produces hundreds of sweet, bite-sized fruits throughout the growing season. These vigorous indeterminate plants are perfect for snacking straight from the garden and add color to salads and appetizers. Kids love picking and eating these candy-like tomatoes right off the vine.
Cherry Roma
A delightful miniature version of the classic Roma paste tomato, producing abundant clusters of small, elongated fruits perfect for snacking or cooking. These bite-sized gems pack all the meaty texture and rich flavor of full-sized paste tomatoes into a convenient cherry size. Excellent for continuous harvest throughout the season with remarkable productivity.
Chocolate Cherry
An extraordinary cherry tomato that produces abundant clusters of small, mahogany-brown fruits with an incredibly complex flavor profile. The rich, wine-like taste with hints of smokiness makes these tiny treasures a gourmet favorite for fresh eating and elegant garnishes. Their unusual color and exceptional flavor make them a conversation starter in any garden.
Chocolate Stripes
A stunning heirloom that turns heads with its dramatic mahogany-red fruits adorned with distinctive dark green stripes that create an almost artistic appearance. Beyond its remarkable beauty, this variety delivers complex, rich flavors with wine-like depth that makes every bite memorable. Perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly unique that performs as beautifully as it looks.
Container Choice Red
Specifically bred for container growing, this compact determinate variety produces full-sized slicing tomatoes on a plant that stays under 20 inches tall. Perfect for apartment dwellers and small space gardeners who don't want to sacrifice fruit size for plant size. No caging or staking required.
Costoluto Genovese
This striking Italian heirloom from the Genoa region produces deeply ribbed, flattened tomatoes that look like they're sculpted from red marble. The dramatically fluted fruits have intense, rich flavor perfect for authentic Italian cooking, and their unique appearance makes them a conversation starter in any garden.
Determinate Cherry
A compact, bushy cherry tomato perfect for containers and small gardens. Produces abundant clusters of sweet, bite-sized fruits all at once, making it ideal for preserving or fresh snacking. The determinate growth habit means no staking required and easy harvest timing.
Determinate Paste
A compact paste tomato variety perfect for small gardens and container growing. These meaty, low-moisture fruits are ideal for sauce making and canning, ripening all at once for efficient processing. Their determinate growth habit makes them excellent for gardeners who want a concentrated harvest without the need for extensive staking.
Determinate Patio
Specially bred for container growing, this compact determinate variety produces full-sized tomatoes on plants that stay under 2 feet tall. Perfect for apartment dwellers, small spaces, or anyone who wants fresh homegrown tomatoes without the need for extensive garden space. The sturdy plants require minimal staking and produce a concentrated harvest.
Determinate Roma
The gold standard for paste tomatoes, Roma produces abundant crops of meaty, egg-shaped fruits perfect for sauces, canning, and preserving. This determinate variety ripens most of its fruit within a concentrated period, making it ideal for gardeners who want to process large quantities at once. With excellent disease resistance and reliable production, it's a workhorse variety every serious gardener should grow.
Early Girl
A longtime early favorite, Early Girl produces heavy yields of full-flavored, 4-6 oz. tomatoes. One of the first varieties to ripen each year. Also prized for its performance as a "dry-farmed" tomato, owing to its extreme tolerance to drought and blossom end rot. Indeterminate.
Fourth of July
An All-America Selections winner bred for extremely early harvests, often producing ripe fruit by Independence Day in most climates. This compact determinate variety delivers full-sized, flavorful tomatoes weeks before other varieties, making it perfect for short-season gardeners and those eager for their first homegrown tomatoes. Despite its early maturity, it doesn't sacrifice flavor for speed.
Garden Peach
An unusual heirloom novelty tomato that looks remarkably like a fuzzy peach with its pale yellow-pink skin and soft downy texture. Despite its appearance, it delivers a mild, sweet tomato flavor that's perfect for curious gardeners and conversation starters. This compact variety is excellent for containers and makes an interesting addition to any heirloom collection.
German Johnson
A treasured heirloom beefsteak variety from North Carolina, prized for its massive size and outstanding flavor balance of sweet and tangy. These impressive fruits can weigh over a pound each and feature the classic ribbed, irregular shape that makes every slice unique. A favorite among gardeners who want to grow conversation-starting tomatoes with old-fashioned taste.
German Pink
This massive Bavarian heirloom produces some of the largest tomatoes you'll ever grow, with fruits regularly exceeding 2 pounds and bursting with old-fashioned tomato flavor. Also known as German Johnson Pink, these pink beefsteak giants have been treasured by gardeners for over a century for their incredible size and meaty, juicy flesh. One slice can cover an entire sandwich, making them the ultimate show-off variety for serious gardeners.
German Red Strawberry
A unique heirloom variety that produces heart-shaped, ribbed fruits resembling oversized strawberries with an unforgettable sweet, fruity flavor. This conversation-starting tomato has been treasured by seed savers for generations and delivers both visual appeal and exceptional taste that sets it apart from conventional varieties.
Grape
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Grape Tomato
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Grape Tomato Red
These bite-sized elongated tomatoes are sweeter and meatier than traditional cherry varieties, with incredible keeping quality. Perfect for snacking, lunch boxes, and salads with their crisp texture and concentrated flavor. Extremely productive plants that keep producing until frost.
Green Zebra
A delicious, tangy salad tomato, ripe just as the green fruit develops a yellow blush, accentuating the darker green stripes. The 3-4 oz. fruits are the ideal size for slicing into wedges for salads. Productive over a long season. Developed by Tom Wagner. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Heirloom Beefsteak Mix
A diverse collection of open-pollinated beefsteak varieties offering an array of colors, flavors, and sizes in one packet. Each plant produces massive, ribbed fruits perfect for slicing, with flavors ranging from sweet to complex and tangy. Save seeds to continue growing your favorites year after year.
Heirloom Black Cherry
These stunning dark purple-black cherry tomatoes are like edible jewels with an incredibly rich, complex flavor that's both sweet and savory. Developed by Vince Sapp of Florida, they're prolific producers that keep delivering these gourmet treats all season long. Perfect for gardeners who want something truly special that will impress at farmers markets or dinner parties.
Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green
A stunning green-when-ripe heirloom that delivers exceptional flavor in an unexpected package. This Cherokee variety produces large, emerald-green beefsteak tomatoes with a sweet, tangy taste that rivals any red variety. Perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly unique that will be the conversation starter of any garden.
Heirloom Marriage Genuwine
A stunning bicolor heirloom that produces large, ribbed fruits with yellow and red striping that creates a beautiful marbled appearance when sliced. This variety combines the best traits of multiple heirloom parents, delivering exceptional flavor complexity with fruity sweetness and balanced acidity. Perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly unique that will be the centerpiece of any garden or dinner table.
Hillbilly
A stunning bicolor heirloom beefsteak with yellow skin beautifully streaked with red and pink, creating a marbled appearance that's as delicious as it is eye-catching. This West Virginia heirloom produces large, sweet fruits with a perfect balance of fruity flavor and low acidity that makes it irresistible fresh from the vine.
Homestead 24
A heat-tolerant determinate variety developed specifically for hot, humid climates where other tomatoes fail. This reliable producer sets fruit even in extreme heat and produces meaty, crack-resistant tomatoes perfect for canning and fresh eating. A true workhorse for Southern gardeners and hot climate growing.
Husky Gold
This compact determinate hybrid produces beautiful golden-orange tomatoes on sturdy plants perfect for containers and small spaces. Bred specifically for patio growing, it delivers exceptional flavor in a manageable plant size, making it ideal for urban gardeners and anyone wanting fresh tomatoes without a large garden.
Indigo Rose
Indigo has been the most reliable radicchio in both our hot- and cool-weather trials. It is remarkably sure-heading, very tolerant to tipburn, and resistant to bottom rot. The firm, 4-5" diameter heads are a nice burgundy color with good flavor. For spring, summer, and fall production. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Iron Lady
A breakthrough hybrid specifically bred for superior disease resistance without sacrificing flavor, making it perfect for organic gardeners and areas with challenging growing conditions. This dependable variety produces excellent yields of flavorful, medium-sized fruits even when other tomatoes struggle with disease pressure. Iron Lady proves that you don't have to choose between disease resistance and great taste.
Jet Star
An award-winning hybrid that delivers the perfect balance of classic tomato flavor and reliable garden performance, making it ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. This vigorous variety produces smooth, crack-resistant fruits with excellent eating quality and impressive disease tolerance. Jet Star has been a garden favorite for decades due to its consistent production and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Juliet
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Kellogg's Breakfast
This stunning heirloom beefsteak produces massive orange fruits that can weigh up to 2 pounds, with incredibly sweet, low-acid flesh that's perfect for those who find red tomatoes too tart. Named after railroad worker Darrell Kellogg's family variety from Michigan, it's become a favorite among gardeners seeking unique color and exceptional flavor.
Lemon Drop
A prolific cherry tomato variety that produces bright yellow, teardrop-shaped fruits with an intensely sweet, citrusy flavor that's unlike any other tomato. These bite-sized gems are incredibly productive, with long clusters of 6-12 fruits that ripen throughout the season. A conversation starter that adds both visual appeal and gourmet flavor to any garden or plate.
Marglobe
Developed by the USDA in the 1920s, this reliable determinate variety was bred specifically for disease resistance and consistent production. A favorite among home canners and gardeners who want dependable, crack-resistant red tomatoes with classic flavor and the convenience of concentrated harvest timing.
Matt's Wild Cherry
These small cherry tomatoes are deep-red, tender, smooth, and full-flavored with a high sugar content. Though the flavor is superior, it doesn't yield as well as modern varieties, and the fruits are soft. Fantastic in salsa and for fresh eating. Some resistance to early blight and late blight. The story of how we obtained 'Matt's Wild Cherry' seeds can be traced back to Teresa Arellanos de Mena, who brought them to Maine from her family's home state of Hidalgo in Eastern Mexico (the region where these tomatoes grow wild). Teresa gave the seeds to her friend Matt Leibman, a former Univ. of Maine AG faculty member, who then gave the seeds to us. Avg. fruit size 5 gm. Indeterminate.
Moneymaker
A British heirloom that lives up to its name with incredibly productive vines that produce abundant clusters of medium-sized red tomatoes. This reliable variety has been a staple in home gardens for generations thanks to its consistent performance and excellent flavor that works well for both fresh eating and cooking. The vigorous plants continue producing until frost, making every square foot of garden space profitable.
Mortgage Lifter
This legendary heirloom tomato earned its name when creator M.C. Byles paid off his mortgage by selling seedlings for $1 each during the Depression. These massive pink beefsteak tomatoes can weigh up to 4 pounds and offer exceptional flavor with meaty texture and few seeds. Perfect for gardeners who want to grow truly impressive conversation-starter tomatoes.
Mortgage Lifter Pink
The legendary giant that supposedly helped its creator pay off his mortgage by selling seedlings, this pink beefsteak produces enormous fruits that can weigh over 2 pounds each. Known for its incredibly meaty texture, sweet flavor, and impressive size that makes each tomato perfect for feeding the whole family. A true heirloom success story that continues to amaze gardeners decades later.
Moskvich
Fruits are early, deep red, and cold tolerant. Rich flavor. Smooth and globe-shaped. 4-6 oz. with a small stem scar. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Mountain Fresh Plus
Able to tolerate cool and wet conditions, this big red tomato produces attractive, 8-16 oz. slicers with good flavor. Developed by Dr. Randy Gardner at North Carolina State University. Vigorous plants provide plenty of leaf cover. Determinate.
Mountain Pride
A reliable determinate variety specifically bred for cooler climates and shorter growing seasons, making it perfect for northern gardeners and high-altitude areas. This compact plant produces firm, meaty red tomatoes with excellent flavor and outstanding disease resistance. Developed by North Carolina State University, it's become a favorite for gardeners who need dependable harvests in challenging conditions.
Oxheart
A massive heirloom beefsteak known for producing some of the largest tomatoes in the garden, often exceeding 2 pounds each. These heart-shaped giants have dense, meaty flesh with few seeds and exceptional flavor that makes every slice memorable. A showstopper variety that creates unforgettable sandwiches and impresses neighbors.
Patio
Start harvesting the abundant fruits when they are only 3-4" long by 3/4-1" diameter. The compact 24-36" plants produce tender dark purple fruit in clusters for easy harvesting. Hansel is non-bitter and perfect for grilling or slicing thinly onto pizza. Green calyx. AAS Winner.
Patio Princess
Specially bred for container growing, Patio Princess produces full-sized tomatoes on compact, sturdy plants that thrive in pots and small spaces. Despite its diminutive size, this determinate variety delivers surprising yields of 4-6 oz red tomatoes with excellent flavor. Perfect for urban gardeners, balcony growers, and anyone wanting fresh tomatoes without a large garden space.
Paul Robeson
A stunning Russian heirloom named after the famous American singer and activist, prized for its extraordinary dark burgundy-black color and exceptional flavor. This large beefsteak variety delivers complex, wine-like taste with perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. A true gourmet tomato that stands out in any garden with its dramatic appearance.
Phoenix
A heat-tolerant determinate variety specifically developed for hot climate growing where other tomatoes fail. Produces excellent yields of smooth, crack-resistant fruits even in extreme summer heat and humidity. The compact plants set fruit reliably in temperatures that would cause other varieties to drop their blossoms.
Pineapple
This stunning bicolor heirloom creates a tropical sunset on your plate with yellow fruits streaked with red and pink, living up to its name with a sweet, fruity flavor that's absolutely unique among tomatoes. Originally from Kentucky, these massive beefsteak beauties are conversation starters that taste as exotic as they look. They're perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly special that guests will remember long after the meal.
Red Robin
The ultimate patio tomato, this compact determinate variety grows just 8-12 inches tall while producing an abundance of sweet cherry tomatoes perfect for containers and small spaces. Despite its tiny stature, Red Robin delivers full-sized flavor and continuous harvests throughout the season, making it ideal for apartment gardeners and children's gardens. No staking required - just plant and enjoy!
Roma
Low-growing, spreading plant with creeping rhizomes. Has similar uses for teas and medicine as annual chamomile varieties, but produces fewer blossoms.
Roma VF
The gold standard paste tomato for home gardeners, producing abundant crops of meaty, low-moisture fruits perfect for sauces, paste, and canning. This improved version of the classic Roma offers better disease resistance while maintaining the dense flesh and rich flavor that makes it indispensable for preserving and cooking. Determinate plants provide a concentrated harvest ideal for batch processing.
Rutgers
A legendary heirloom variety developed at Rutgers University in 1934 that became the standard for tomato flavor in America. This reliable producer delivers perfectly balanced, old-fashioned tomato taste in medium-sized fruits that are ideal for both fresh eating and processing. Rutgers represents the classic American tomato that many gardeners remember from their childhood.
San Marzano
The legendary Italian heirloom paste tomato that's considered the gold standard for authentic Neapolitan pizza and premium sauces. These elongated plum tomatoes have dense, meaty flesh with few seeds and an intensely sweet flavor that transforms when cooked. Prized by chefs worldwide, true San Marzano tomatoes are worth the extra care they require.
Striped German
The flat medium-to-large tomatoes with variable shoulder ribbing are shaded yellow and red. The marbled interior looks beautiful sliced. Complex, fruity flavor and smooth texture. Medium-tall vines bear 12+ oz. fruit. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Stupice
This Czechoslovakian heirloom is prized as one of the earliest full-flavored tomatoes, often ripening weeks before other varieties. Despite its early maturity, it delivers complex, rich flavor that rivals the best season tomatoes. Perfect for short-season gardeners who don't want to sacrifice taste for earliness.
Sun Gold
Exceptionally sweet, bright tangerine-orange cherry tomatoes leave everyone begging for more. Vigorous plants start yielding early and bear right through the season. Tendency to split precludes shipping, making these an exclusively fresh-market treat. The taste can't be beat. 15-20 gm. fruits. Indeterminate.
Super Sweet 100
The ultimate cherry tomato for prolific harvests and incredible sweetness that kids and adults absolutely love. These vigorous indeterminate plants produce massive clusters of bright red, bite-sized tomatoes that are perfect for snacking straight from the vine. A reliable performer that keeps producing sweet, crack-resistant fruit all season long until first frost.
Surefire Red
An All-America Selections winner bred specifically for cool-weather performance and short growing seasons, producing ripe tomatoes even when temperatures dip below ideal ranges. This compact hybrid sets fruit reliably in conditions that cause other varieties to drop blossoms, making it perfect for northern gardens and unpredictable climates. Surefire Red delivers dependable harvests when gardening success seems uncertain.
Sweet 100
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Sweet Million
An incredibly productive cherry tomato hybrid that produces long clusters of perfectly sweet, crack-resistant fruits throughout the growing season. Sweet Million combines the addictive flavor of the best cherry tomatoes with impressive disease resistance, making it a must-have variety for gardeners who love snacking straight from the vine.
Taxi
A stunning yellow determinate variety that produces bright golden tomatoes with exceptional flavor and early maturity, perfect for short-season gardens. These beautiful fruits add vibrant color to salads and dishes while offering a mild, sweet taste that appeals to those who find red tomatoes too acidic. An excellent choice for gardeners wanting reliable production of colorful, flavorful tomatoes in compact spaces.
Tiny Tim
A miniature cherry tomato perfect for windowsills, small containers, and indoor growing. This compact determinate variety produces abundant clusters of tiny, flavorful red fruits on plants that rarely exceed 12 inches tall, making it ideal for apartment dwellers and beginning gardeners.
Tumbling Tom
A cascading cherry tomato variety specifically bred for hanging baskets and containers, producing abundant clusters of sweet, bite-sized fruits. The trailing habit creates a beautiful waterfall effect while providing continuous harvests throughout the season. Perfect for patios, balconies, and small-space gardening where vertical growing is preferred.
Valencia
Round, smooth fruits average 8-10 oz. Their meaty interiors have few seeds. This midseason tomato is among the best for flavor and texture. Our own selection of a Maine family heirloom with a Spanish accent. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Wisconsin 55
A cold-hardy heirloom developed at the University of Wisconsin for short growing seasons and cooler climates. This early-maturing variety produces flavorful, medium-sized fruits even when nighttime temperatures dip low, making it perfect for Northern gardeners and high-altitude locations where the growing season is limited.
Yellow Brandywine
A stunning golden yellow variant of the famous Brandywine that offers the same exceptional flavor profile with a beautiful sunny color and slightly milder taste. These large, creamy yellow beefsteaks create gorgeous contrast in fresh dishes and provide a conversation-starting addition to any heirloom collection. The sweet, low-acid flavor makes them perfect for those sensitive to high-acid tomatoes.
Yellow Pear
A charming heirloom cherry tomato dating back to the 1800s, producing abundant clusters of bright yellow, pear-shaped fruits that are as decorative as they are delicious. This prolific variety is beloved by children and adults alike for its sweet, mild flavor and unique teardrop shape that adds visual interest to any garden or salad.
Zone 5 Growing Tips for Idaho
Start your tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, which puts you at mid-March for Zone 5. This timing gives you sturdy transplants ready to go outside once soil temperatures consistently hit 60°F and nighttime temps stay above 50°F – usually around May 10-15th, giving you that crucial two-week buffer past the average last frost. Don't rush this timing; cold soil and chilly nights will stunt growth and invite disease problems that will haunt you all season.
Since Zone 5 can surprise you with an early October frost, plan for season extension from the start. Choose a sunny, south-facing location protected from north winds, and have row covers or wall-o-water protectors ready for both ends of the season. I recommend planting your main crop varieties by May 20th at the latest – any later and your Big Beef or Brandywine won't have time to reach full production. For insurance, always include a few early varieties like Early Girl or Stupice that can give you ripe tomatoes even if summer arrives late.