Growing tomatoes is both an art and a science, and for those of us eager to get that fresh, homegrown taste with minimal waiting, choosing early-ripening varieties is key. Let me take you on a delightful journey through 24 tomato varieties that not only ripen at lightning speed but also promise a burst of flavor in every bite.
1. Early Girl
Early Girl tomatoes are one of the most popular early-season varieties, known for their sweet, tangy flavor. These round, red fruits are perfect for a quick harvest in the summer garden.
They thrive in well-drained soil and need plenty of sunlight to reach their full potential. Early Girl tomatoes ripen in about 50-60 days from planting, making them one of the fastest-growing varieties.
They’re ideal for gardeners with short growing seasons or anyone eager for a summer tomato.
2. Stupice
Stupice is a small, determinate heirloom tomato that offers an early harvest of vibrant red fruits with a delightful, complex flavor. These plants perform well in cooler climates and are a great option for those in northern regions.
Stupice tomatoes are disease-resistant, making them easier to grow for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. They typically ripen in 50-55 days, which means you can enjoy fresh tomatoes early in the season.
Their compact size also makes them a perfect choice for container gardening or small garden spaces.
3. Quick Fire
Quick Fire tomatoes are an early hybrid variety that offers a sweet, juicy taste and ripens in a flash. Known for its reliability, it thrives in both containers and garden beds with proper care.
These tomatoes need plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, and regular watering to produce the best flavor. Quick Fire tomatoes ripen in just 50 days, making them one of the quickest-growing varieties on the market.
This makes it a fantastic option for gardeners looking for a fast and delicious tomato harvest.
4. Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim is a dwarf cherry tomato variety perfect for those with limited space or gardeners who want a fast-growing crop. These compact plants reach only about 12-18 inches tall but still produce an impressive yield of sweet, bite-sized tomatoes.
They thrive in containers and hanging baskets, making them a great addition to patios or small gardens. Tiny Tim tomatoes ripen in about 50-60 days, offering an early, bountiful harvest.
These small, delicious tomatoes are perfect for snacking, salads, or garnishing dishes.
5. Fourth of July
Fourth of July tomatoes are an early-season variety bred for fast growth and exceptional flavor. With their bright red, round fruits, they offer a classic tomato taste that’s slightly sweet and tangy.
These plants prefer full sun and need a well-drained, fertile soil to thrive. They’re one of the fastest-ripening varieties, taking just 50-55 days to reach maturity.
Perfect for summer harvests, Fourth of July tomatoes are great for slicing, sandwiches, and salads.
6. Glacier
Glacier tomatoes are known for their ability to thrive in cooler conditions and produce early yields of delicious, red fruits. These compact plants are ideal for gardeners in regions with short, chilly summers.
Glacier tomatoes prefer well-drained soil and require regular watering to maintain healthy growth. They ripen in about 50 days, allowing you to enjoy fresh tomatoes early in the growing season.
This hardy variety is great for container gardening or small garden spaces and offers fantastic flavor in a short amount of time.
7. Bush Early Girl
Bush Early Girl is a determinate tomato variety that’s perfect for small spaces, producing an early harvest of flavorful, round tomatoes. It’s a great option for gardeners looking for a compact plant that still delivers delicious results.
This tomato variety thrives in full sun and needs regular watering to ensure healthy growth. Bush Early Girl ripens in 50-55 days, making it one of the fastest varieties available.
It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for an early-season tomato with great flavor and a manageable plant size.
8. Sub Arctic Plenty
Sub Arctic Plenty is a reliable and early-producing variety, known for its bright red, medium-sized tomatoes. These tomatoes are ideal for northern gardeners with shorter growing seasons.
This plant thrives in cooler temperatures and needs well-drained soil to produce its best fruit. Sub Arctic Plenty typically ripens in 50-55 days, giving you an early summer harvest.
It’s an excellent choice for growing in pots or small garden spaces, as it doesn’t require a lot of room to thrive.
9. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan tomatoes are a small, yet flavorful variety that ripens early in the growing season. Known for their sweet taste, these tomatoes are perfect for fresh eating and canning.
They require full sun and well-drained soil to grow well and produce an abundant crop. Saskatchewan tomatoes ripen in about 50-60 days, making them a fast-growing option for your garden.
This variety is ideal for gardeners in northern climates or anyone looking for an early tomato that delivers great taste.
10. Heatmaster
Heatmaster is a hybrid tomato that thrives in hot climates, producing delicious, round tomatoes even in the peak of summer heat. This variety is known for its resistance to heat-induced cracking, making it perfect for warmer regions.
Plant Heatmaster tomatoes in full sun with well-drained soil, and ensure consistent watering for the best results. Heatmaster tomatoes ripen in about 55-60 days, offering a quick, flavorful harvest.
This variety is a top choice for gardeners in hot climates who want an early, tasty tomato crop.
11. Better Boy
Better Boy tomatoes are a classic, large-fruited variety known for their juicy, sweet flavor. They’re perfect for gardeners who want a reliable early crop with impressive yields.
These plants require full sun, rich soil, and regular watering to produce the best fruit. Better Boy tomatoes typically ripen in 65-70 days, which is slightly longer than some early varieties but still fast enough for most growing seasons.
This variety is great for slicing on sandwiches, burgers, and in salads.
12. Celebrity
Celebrity tomatoes are versatile, reliable, and produce round, medium-sized fruit that’s sweet and juicy. These plants are resistant to several common tomato diseases, making them a great choice for beginners.
They thrive in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil and need regular watering to keep growing strong. Celebrity tomatoes ripen in 65 days, providing a good balance of speed and taste.
These tomatoes are great for fresh eating, slicing, or canning, making them a gardener’s favorite for versatile use.
13. Terenzo
The Terenzo tomato is a hanging basket favorite, ripening with ease in about 56 days. Its small, sweet fruits are perfect for snacking or salads.
Terenzo is a small, compact cherry tomato variety that ripens quickly and offers a burst of sweet flavor. It’s perfect for growing in containers or smaller garden spaces, where space is limited.
These plants prefer full sun and need moderate watering to grow well. Terenzo tomatoes ripen in 55-60 days, making them one of the quicker cherry tomato varieties.
Their small, sweet fruits are perfect for snacking, salads, or adding a colorful touch to dishes.
Compact and prolific, it’s ideal for patios or balconies. Experience the taste of summer with each juicy bite.
14. Moskvich
Moskvich is a Russian heirloom variety known for its early ripening and excellent flavor. These tomatoes produce round, red fruits with a rich, balanced taste that’s perfect for fresh eating or cooking.
Plant Moskvich tomatoes in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil to ensure a healthy harvest. Moskvich typically ripens in about 55-60 days, providing an early crop.
This variety is well-suited for cooler climates, making it an excellent option for gardeners in northern regions.
15. Jasper
Jasper is a small, determinate cherry tomato variety that’s perfect for gardeners looking for an early, abundant harvest. The fruits are sweet, juicy, and great for snacking or tossing in salads.
These tomatoes thrive in full sun and require regular watering, especially during hot weather. Jasper tomatoes ripen in about 55 days, providing a fast crop of tasty tomatoes.
This variety is also well-suited for container gardening, adding a burst of color and flavor to patios and small garden spaces.
16. New Yorker
New Yorker tomatoes are an early-maturing variety that produces small to medium-sized, flavorful red fruits. These plants are ideal for gardeners looking for a quick and tasty harvest.
They thrive in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil, and benefit from consistent watering to maintain healthy growth. New Yorker tomatoes ripen in about 55-60 days, making them perfect for short growing seasons.
Their rich, sweet flavor makes them excellent for fresh eating, slicing, or adding to sauces.
17. Manitoba
Manitoba tomatoes are an early-season heirloom variety known for their ability to ripen quickly and produce a bountiful crop. They offer small to medium-sized red fruits with a sweet, tangy flavor.
These plants thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight, and they need regular watering to ensure consistent growth. Manitoba tomatoes typically ripen in about 50-55 days, which is fast compared to other varieties.
Perfect for colder climates, they produce excellent fruit for both fresh eating and canning.
18. Rutgers
Rutgers is a classic, mid-sized tomato that’s known for its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. It’s a reliable variety that performs well in various growing conditions.
Plant Rutgers tomatoes in well-drained soil with full sun for the best results. These tomatoes ripen in about 70 days, which is slightly longer but still offers a great harvest for gardeners.
They’re perfect for sandwiches, sauces, and making fresh salsa.
19. Early Wonder
Early Wonder tomatoes are small, red fruits with a rich, sweet flavor, and they ripen extremely fast. These plants are perfect for gardeners looking to get a jump on the growing season.
They prefer full sun and require well-drained soil for optimal growth. Early Wonder tomatoes ripen in just 50 days, making them one of the fastest varieties available.
Great for small gardens, they’re perfect for fresh eating or adding to quick summer sala
20. Burpee’s Supersteak
Burpee’s Supersteak tomatoes are large, meaty fruits known for their exceptional flavor and versatility. They thrive in fertile, well-drained soil and need full sun for optimal growth.
These plants benefit from regular watering, especially during dry spells, to ensure a juicy, flavorful harvest. Burpee’s Supersteak tomatoes ripen in about 70 days, making them slightly slower but rewarding in size and taste.
Perfect for making hearty sandwiches or preparing fresh salsas and sauces.
21. Red Robin
Red Robin is a compact, determinate cherry tomato variety that’s ideal for containers or small garden spaces. The plants are short and grow well in pots, making them a perfect option for urban gardeners.
They need full sun and moderate watering to stay healthy and productive. Red Robin tomatoes ripen in about 55-60 days, offering quick, delicious results.
These small, sweet tomatoes are great for snacking or tossing into salads, and they thrive in small spaces like balconies or patios.
22. Siberian
Siberian tomatoes are an early-maturing, cold-tolerant variety that produces small, round red fruits. They’re perfect for growing in cooler climates where other tomatoes may struggle.
These tomatoes thrive in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil and benefit from consistent watering during the growing season. Siberian tomatoes ripen in about 55-60 days, making them one of the quicker varieties for colder climates.
Their rich, tangy flavor is perfect for fresh eating or adding to sauces.
23. San Marzano
San Marzano tomatoes are famous for their rich, tangy flavor and are often used in Italian cooking, especially for making sauces. They grow well in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring consistent care to thrive.
This variety needs regular watering and benefits from a support structure to keep the plants upright. San Marzano tomatoes ripen in about 60-70 days, making them an early to mid-season option.
Their sweet flavor and low moisture content make them ideal for making thick, rich tomato sauces and pastes.
24. Amish Paste
Amish Paste tomatoes are known for their large, meaty fruits that are perfect for canning and making sauces. This heirloom variety produces rich, sweet tomatoes with few seeds, making them ideal for processing.
They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering to promote growth. Amish Paste tomatoes typically ripen in 80 days, which is on the longer side for early varieties but still offers excellent yield.
Their thick, flavorful flesh makes them perfect for making homemade tomato sauce, paste, and even salsa.