Top 20 Tomato Varieties to Thrive in Georgia Gardens OFAGS

Discover the best tomatoes to grow in Georgia’s diverse climate with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the top-performing varieties, from heirlooms to hybrids, perfect for your garden.

I’ve researched disease resistance, heat tolerance, and flavor profiles to provide you with a list of the finest tomatoes to plant in Georgia’s unique growing conditions. Enhance your garden and enjoy a bountiful harvest with these must-grow tomato varieties handpicked for Georgia gardeners.

Here is a list of top tomato varieties that are well-suited for growing in Georgia, taking into account regional climates and disease resistance:

1. Better Boy:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 70-75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 16 oz.
Plant’s height: 48-60 inches
Fruit Size: Large
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Rich and flavorful
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions but particularly well-adapted to Central and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VFN (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, and Nematodes)

2. Celebrity:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: 65-75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 8-10 oz.
Plant’s height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Size: Medium to large
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Well-balanced, mildly sweet
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and cooking
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VFNT (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus)

3. Cherokee Purple:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 80-90 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 10-12 oz.
Plant’s height: 48-72 inches
Fruit Size: Medium to large
Shape: Beefsteak
Flavor: Rich, sweet, and smoky
Color and texture: Deep purple-red with green shoulders, smooth skin, and a juicy, dense texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, but moderately tolerant to common tomato diseases

4. Juliet:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 60-70 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 1 oz.
Plant’s height: 48-60 inches
Fruit Size: Small (grape-sized)
Shape: Oval
Flavor: Sweet and tangy
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, snacking, and garnishing
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, but known for being crack-resistant and generally tolerant to common tomato diseases

5. Brandywine:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 85-100 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 16-24 oz.
Plant’s height: 60-84 inches
Fruit Size: Large (beefsteak)
Shape: A slightly irregular, flattened globe
Flavor: Rich, complex, and sweet
Color and texture: Pinkish-red, smooth skin with a soft, juicy, and dense texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, moderately susceptible to common tomato diseases; requires proper care for healthy growth

6. Mountain Merit:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: 70-75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 8-10 oz.
Plant’s height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Size: Medium
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Mild and well-balanced
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and cooking
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VFFNTASt (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Alternaria Stem Canker, and Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot)

7. San Marzano:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 75-85 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 3-4 oz.
Plant’s height: 60-84 inches
Fruit Size: Medium
Shape: Elongated, plum-shaped
Flavor: Mild, sweet, and low-acidity
Color and texture: Deep red, smooth skin with a dense, meaty texture
Usages: Sauces, paste, canning, and cooking
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, moderately susceptible to common tomato diseases; requires proper care for healthy growth

8. Sungold:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 65-75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 0.5 oz.
Plant’s height: 48-72 inches
Fruit Size: Small (cherry-sized)
Shape: Round
Flavor: Exceptionally sweet and fruity
Color and texture: Bright golden-orange, smooth skin with a firm, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, snacking, and garnishing
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, but generally tolerant to common tomato diseases

9. Roma:

Variety: Both heirloom and hybrid versions are available
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: 70-80 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 2-4 oz.
Plant’s height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Size: Small to medium
Shape: Plum-shaped or elongated
Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet, and low-acidity
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a dense, meaty texture
Usages: Sauces, paste, canning, and cooking
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific codes, but generally tolerant to common tomato diseases

10. Tropic:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 75-85 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 10-12 oz.
Plant’s height: 60-72 inches
Fruit Size: Large
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Well-balanced, mild, and slightly sweet
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, meaty texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, particularly Southern and Coastal Plain regions
Disease resistance: VFFA (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, and Alternaria Stem Canker)

11. Bella Rosa:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: 75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 10-12 oz.
Plant’s height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Size: Large
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Well-balanced, mild, and slightly sweet
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, meaty texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VFFNT (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus)

12. Mountain Fresh Plus:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: 77 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 8-10 oz.
Plant’s height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Size: Medium to large
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Well-balanced, mild, and slightly sweet
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a firm, meaty texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VFFASt (Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Alternaria Stem Canker, and Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot)

13. Early Girl:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 50-60 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 4-6 oz.
Plant’s height: 72-96 inches
Fruit Size: Medium
Shape: Globe
Flavor: Well-balanced, mild, and slightly sweet
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a juicy, tender texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, slicing, and sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: V (Verticillium Wilt) and F (Fusarium Wilt)

14. Sweet 100:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 65-70 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 0.5-1 oz.
Plant’s height: 72-96 inches
Fruit Size: Small (cherry-sized)
Shape: Round
Flavor: Sweet and juicy
Color and texture: Red, smooth skin with a tender, juicy texture
Usages: Fresh eating, salads, snacking, and garnishing
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: VF (Verticillium Wilt and Fusarium Wilt)

15. Green Zebra:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 70-80 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 2-4 oz.
Plant’s height: 60-84 inches
Fruit Size: Small to medium
Shape: Round and slightly flattened
Flavor: Sweet and tangy with a hint of citrus
Color and texture: Green with yellow stripes when ripe, firm and meaty texture
Usages: Salads, sandwiches, and garnishing
Best regions in Georgia: Suitable for all regions, including Northern, Central, and Southern Georgia
Disease resistance: No specific resistance noted, but as an heirloom variety, it may have some natural disease tolerance.

16. Yellow Pear:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 70-80 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 1-2 ounces
Plant height: 6-8 feet
Fruit Size: Small
Shape: Pear-shaped
Flavor: sweet, mild, and slightly tangy
Color and texture: yellow and smooth
Usages: commonly used in salads, as a garnish, or for snacking
Best regions in Georgia: all regions of Georgia as long as the plant receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil
Disease resistance: no specific disease resistance code, but they are generally less susceptible to diseases than other tomato varieties.

17. Mortgage Lifter:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 80-85 days
Average fruit weight: 16-32 oz.
Plant’s height: 6-8 feet
Fruit Size: Large
Shape: Beefsteak, flattened and round
Flavor: Sweet and rich
Color and texture: Deep pink/red, meaty flesh with few seeds
Usages: Slicing, canning, and making sauces
Best regions in Georgia: Central and Southern regions with warm temperatures and long growing seasons
Disease resistance: Not known for significant disease resistance

18. Arkansas Traveler:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: 80-90 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 6-8 oz.
Plant’s height: 4-6 feet tall
Fruit Size: Medium
Shape: Round, slightly flattened
Flavor: Mild and sweet with a slightly acidic taste
Color and texture: Pinkish-red, smooth, and juicy
Usages: Great for fresh eating, canning, and slicing for sandwiches
Best regions in Georgia: All regions of Georgia
Disease resistance: Resistant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt

19. Black Krim:

Variety: Heirloom
Growth type: Indeterminate
Growing season: Around 80 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: 8-16 oz.
Plant’s height: 4-7 feet tall
Fruit Size: Large
Shape: Oblate, slightly flattened
Flavor: Sweet and tangy, with a smoky or earthy undertone
Color and texture: Dark red or brownish-green with a blackish tint on the top, with a juicy and meaty flesh
Usages: Excellent for slicing in sandwiches, salads, and for making sauces and pastes
Best regions in Georgia: Can be grown throughout the state, but does best in areas with hot and dry summers, and good drainage
Disease resistance: No specific disease resistance codes are available for this variety

20. Husky Cherry Red:

Variety: Hybrid
Growth type: Determinate
Growing season: Around 70-75 days after transplanting
Average fruit weight: Small, around 1 oz.
Plant’s height: Compact, around 18-24 inches tall
Fruit Size: Small cherry tomatoes
Shape: Round
Flavor: Sweet and juicy, with a mild tomato flavor
Color and texture: Bright red with a smooth texture
Usages: Great for snacking, making salads, and making tomato sauce
Best regions in Georgia: Can be grown throughout the state
Disease resistance: Shows good resistance to Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt

Conclusion

Discovering the best tomatoes to grow in Georgia can greatly enhance your garden’s productivity and taste. You’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown tomatoes by selecting varieties well-suited for Georgia’s climate, such as Better Boy, Cherokee Purple, or Celebrity. Don’t forget to consider disease resistance and growth habits when choosing your ideal tomato plants. So, transform your Georgia garden into a tomato haven and relish the mouthwatering rewards this season.

Reference:

https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1271&title=georgia-homegrown-tomatoes

https://forum.gon.com/threads/best-tomato-varieties-for-georgia.792928/