Tomatoes come in two basic forms and need to be treated a little differently:
Determinate
Determinate tomatoes are compact bushes that have a pre-determined size, usually topping out at 3 to 4 feet in height. Determinate tomatoes may not need support, depending on the variety, but it’s a good idea to cage or stake them anyway. You can grow determinate tomatoes in a pot or in the garden. Determinates tend to bear their fruit over a shorter period of time. I especially like the Sweet 100’s.
Indeterminate
Indeterminate tomatoes are viners. With proper pruning and support, they can reach 8 feet or more. In fact, I’ve had mine reach 14 feet, but that was with a lot of tying up. Indeterminates tend to bear fruit over a longer period of time than their cousins, the determinates. I have had great luck with Better Boy.
