The Best Compact Tomato Varieties To Grow If You're Short On Space In Your Yard

Tomatoes, a fan favorite fruit often mistaken for a vegetable, are a great addition to any garden. With over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes, there's always an option to include some in your yard, regardless of its size or your skill level.

Don't worry if you've only got a limited amount of space to work with. Tomatoes are still doable. Just remember when selecting which varieties to add to your garden, there are a few things to consider. First, it's important to know the amount of available space you have and how much room each plant needs. In fact, several studies have found that the ideal spacing for plants may increase the harvest of marketable tomatoes.

Second, ensure that the variety you're choosing is either a determinate or dwarf species. These types will only grow to a certain size and will typically have a compact bushy growth pattern, which is ideal when you're tight on space. Indeterminate species, on the other hand, are unpredictable in how big they grow. All things considered, when you're short on space, there are many varieties of tomatoes that are easy to grow and fit into a compact yard. Here are our favorites.

Micro-Tom is considered one of the smallest tomato plants, standing at just 7 to 8 inches (20cm) tall. It was originally developed at the University of Florida as a dwarf determinate variety intended for decorative purposes. Despite its origins, Micro-Tom is used not only for looks but for harvest as well. After all, this tiny tomato plant matures and is ready to harvest in around 120 days.

The cherry tomatoes it produces have a beautiful orangish-red coloring and grow to about half an inch in diameter. Moreover, they produce around 25 cherry tomatoes per harvest, ready to be eaten as a tasty snack or a welcome ingredient to your summertime salad. When adding Mirco-Tom to your garden, this compact determinate requires about 9 to 12 inches (23-30cm) of space and full exposure to sunlight (about 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).

All in all, Mirco-Tom's compact size, simple growth requirements, and quick harvest production make this tomato plant a great addition to your small garden.

Roma tomatoes are an excellent variety, especially if you're looking to make homemade pasta sauce. Like many others, Roma tomatoes are easy to grow and can fit into most yards with limited space. They are members of the Solanaceae family and are well known for their red, egg-shaped fruit that's traditionally used in sauces and salsas due to their meaty flesh and lower water content compared to other tomatoes.

Originally developed as a hybrid in 1955, the tomato is believed to be a cross between the Pan American and San Marzano tomatoes, brought to the U.S. by Italian immigrants. Farmers wanted to develop a tomato that was both durable and disease-resistant, and with these qualities, romas became quite popular.

While Roma plants grow to about 5 feet (150cm) in height, their spread maxes out around 20 inches (50cm). They do best in full sunlight and in a spot that's protected from strong wind. Furthermore, it's best to plant them between mid to late spring. Despite the plant's durability, cool temperatures will still be stressful. More notably, tomato blight is a common plant disease to watch out for. In terms of yield, Roma plants have been known to produce up to 200 tomatoes per season, making this plant a welcome addition to any garden, especially ones with home cooks.

A surprising addition for compact gardens is the Solanum lycopersicum, better known as the BushSteak or beefsteak tomato. These tomatoes were first found in the Andes region, spanning parts of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador; they eventually spread throughout Central America and Mexico. Spanish explorers encountered these delicious tomatoes and introduced them to the rest of the world in the 16th century. Today, BushSteak tomatoes are used in many dishes and are most commonly served as a burger topping.

In terms of size and space, the BushSteak tomato plant reaches a maximum height of 24 inches (60cm) and a width of 18 inches (45cm). The recommended spacing for this species is anywhere between 24 to 36 inches (61-91cm) and requires full sunlight, which amounts to about six hours of direct sunlight per day. BushSteak tomatoes typically mature about 65 days after planting and can be harvested once they begin to show color, yielding around 10-30 tomatoes per harvest. Notably, birds enjoy these tomatoes for their high water content. Fortunately, there are many methods for keeping birds out of your garden, utilizing things like reflective tape. Altogether, BushSteak tomatoes are ideal for any garden thanks to their delicious fruit and compact size.