7 Best Cherry Tomatoes for the Home Gardener--and 2 Not Worth Growing 🍅

[@growandpreserve]

Please share in the comments your favorites and the ones you won't grow again. My seed sources: www.johnnyseeds.com www.rareseeds.com www.trueleafmarket.com www.oarkseed.com www.hosstools.com www.seedsnsuch.com

[@jean-eriksylvain7659]

I also have Super Sweet 100 as one of my preferred tomatoes. The other one that is even better and is open pollinated is Gold Krone, a yellow cherry. Happy tomato season to you all!

[@growandpreserve]

Nice! A new one to put on my list Thanks for the rec, JE!

[@jeil5676]

Darn. I have those 2 varieties in my shopping list and while I thank you for your opinion I feel I still have to buy and try them for myself because while I know many dont appreciate them, there are others who claim them to be great. I'll let you say "I told ya so" after this coming season.

[@growandpreserve]

No "I told you so" here! Hopefully you'll love them!

[@cindyparker9920]

I enjoyed yellow pear cherry tomatoes last year. Extremely prolific. I couldn’t keep up with them. I also love black cherry. My all time favorite heirloom regular tomato is Cherokee purple.

[@growandpreserve]

Yes! Yellow pear. I haven't grown that in years, but it may get a spot in the garden next year. Thanks for the reminder. My all time favorite heirloom is Brandywine Pink, but Cherokee Purple is always a winner here as well.

[@lmullens75]

I just found your video while trying to narrow down my choices of all the crazy varieties I've purchased the past few years. We have loved the F1 clementine from Johnny's, but it's larger like the black strawberry (my black strawberry weren't near as large as yours last year). I'm actually thinking of canning whole clementine tomatoes this summer since they're so meaty & would be a nice option in the winter for a sweeter option in recipes. We have loved sungold in the past, but even in my high tunnel with even watering, they crack.

[@growandpreserve]

Clementine sounds interesting! I'll have to look at that one next year. Thanks!

[@UMHBJess77]

Throw some Everglades tomatoes in your garden. They are super productive, yummy little blueberry size tomatoes and are disease resistant. It is a Florida wild variety and very yummy.

[@growandpreserve]

I've heard about Everglades tomatoes before. Thanks for the reminder! It sounds like they may be a good variety to grow along a fence line. Next year I may have to try some.

[@moochythecat3435]

I love Large Red Cherry and Black Cherry tomatoes... I'm going to add Chocolate Sprinkles Cherry tomatoes this year...

[@bobgappa3338]

I haven't grown the sun sugar, but I grew the sun gold last year, and they were the best-tasting tomato that I have ever grown. A lot of them did crack later in the season. I am also growing the sun gold this year and the plants look very good, but it's too early yet to harvest any. They were very prolific last year. I grew Brad's atomic grape last year, and I also had a difficult time determining exactly when they were ripe. But I did learn how to determine that as more of them ripened. They vary in color and color intensity, but I found that they need to get some yellowish/orange streaks and a "softening" to the feel in order for them to be fully ripe. I loved the flavor of them. There was a wide range in size of the fruits, so uniformity was lacking if that is important to you.

[@growandpreserve]

Great review of Brad's Atomic Grape, Bob! I'll give them another try at some point.

[@dakotabob10]

A tomato that I received seeds from a friend in PA that I grow every year is the yellow cherry. My friend told me that she originally got the seeds from "Totally Tomatoes". They are super sweet and in their catalog they compare the sweetness to Super Sweet 100. I am expanding my horizons growing cherry tomatoes this season and I am going to try several of the varieties that you mentioned. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@growandpreserve]

The Yellow Cherry sounds like one I would like! How fun to be expanding your cherry tomato selection this year. I know the big slicers take all the glory, but the gardening experience just wouldn't be the same without the cherries! Or is that just me? 😂 Happy to have you here, dakotabob10!

[@marshhawk730]

i like the yellow pear got a huge crop

[@bertbirge3617]

Your choices are very good I think! I grow 4 of those and love them.. thank you for a great video!

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you Bert! So glad to have you here!

[@rosedowling3690]

Thank You I love the side by side taste test.. Going to try different cherry tomatoes next year

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Rose! Good to have you here!

[@mumstheword8]

I love most of your choices. Some that you have i will be interested in trying nrxt year. Next year you should try the lucky tiger cherey tomatoe. If u can get them to proper rioness they are so good.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look for those, mum!

[@lisajelle714]

Sweet million is my favorite- glad to see you start with that one! I am trying Sun Gold and a few others this year.

[@growandpreserve]

Yes! What's not to love about Sweet Million? Glad you're also trying some that are ne to you this year! Hope you find some more favorites. Happy to have you here, Lisa!

[@trinade3732]

ATOMIC GRAPE is something we cannot do without in our house, for five yrs. primarily for tacos/salads and sometimes pizza. check your growing conditions, they love 8 hrs sun but NO HOT afternoon sun. I us shade cloth and a deep watering three times a week in the high desert. I also fertilize at the first onset of flowers and at least once a month with an npk balance of to 2-10-10 with fish emulsion and molasses. I got mine from Wild Boar Farms until I learn to save seeds and now I bag 5 or 6 flowers every year to save my seeds. it's always best to save your own seeds because then they adapt to your own climate and grow better, taste better. A little time-consuming in the beginning but well worth the flavor.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the info, Trina! Maybe I'll try them again one of these days.

[@unnamed2737]

Those were my worst tasting tomatoes. I swore I’d never grow them again lol.

[@hitchyourwagon4720]

I also grew Sungold, Sunsugar, and Sunpeach. In my Midwest garden Sunsugar did not perform as well as the other two both in flavor and vigor. Black Strawberry was sour and disease prone. Sunpeach was a nice surprise, very healthy vines and unique fruity flavor was like eating grapes. For 2023 I tripled my Sungold production ( in spite of the splitting ), kept Sunpeach, and dropped Sunsugar and Black Strawberry. Isis candy was very sweet but diseased for me so not regrowing. Trying Fantastico and Rosella in 2023 as well.

[@growandpreserve]

Looking forward to hearing about the 2 new ones! Happy to have you here, Hitch yourwagon!

[@joeellerbach2095]

@hitchyourwagon4720 I agree with your assessment of Black Strawberry. They were beautiful but I didn't really like to eat them. Black Cherry was much tastier but kind of grows out of control. I've grown Sungold and Sun Orange. Sun Orange was an upgrade, slightly bigger fruit and less cracking, but same great flavor as Sungold. I planning to try Rosella and Chocolate Cherry next year. How did you like Rosella?

[@marygrott8095]

It's so interesting about the different experiences everyone has with certain plants. To me the Sun Gold and Sun Sugartomayoes are comparable in taste, but I found that the Sun Gold far out performed the Sun Sugar. So I'll only grow Sun Sugar if I can't get Sun Gold one year.

[@growandpreserve]

I agree with you on the different experiences! I love to see what others prefer, and I try many of them, but the ones I grow year after year are the ones that work best for me. It sure is fun! good to have you here, Mary!

[@artport7]

You must try, Blush and also Isis Candy... They are two really worth growing... very sweet and delicious!!

[@growandpreserve]

You're my third recommendation for Blush! I will add those to this year's list if I have space. I grew Isis Candy last year, but it got fried in our massive heatwave. I was really looking forward to them, so I'll try again. Thanks for the suggestions! Happy to have you here, artport7!

[@catclark8858]

I'm planting Blush for the first time!

[@growandpreserve]

@@catclark8858 I keep hearing about Blush. I may have to find a way to squeeze it in this year! Thanks for being here, Cat!

[@dougdierfeldt9090]

I've been planting super sweet 100 for years. Going to try the sun gold for the first time.

[@growandpreserve]

Good! I just started mine this morning. If you like Super Sweet 100, you'll like Sun Gold as well. Happy growing! Glad to have you here, Doug!

[@hitchyourwagon4720]

You will not regret it. Sungold is the best tasting tomato of any size IMO. It has a tendency to split so don’t over water. If a big rain is coming pick them before the rain and let them ripen on the counter.

[@growandpreserve]

@@hitchyourwagon4720 Good advice about the splitting!

[@artport7]

I would also add Brandysweet Plum which is actually a cherry tomato and not a plum... but is a perfect little tomato with a huge tomato flavor that does not disappoint sweet and savory... with Brandywine as one of it's parents it could not miss..

[@growandpreserve]

Great info, artport7! Thanks so much.

[@lauriedaniels9620]

I just planted 2supper sweet hope they put off alot ,thank you for your video

[@growandpreserve]

They will, so get ready!

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

We grew one once called Fantastico, my wife really loved them! Alas, we haven’t been able to find it lately. I like Sweet Million and Sweet 100 as well. I haven’t tried the others.

[@growandpreserve]

Nice! Haven't heard of Fantastico. Doesn't it drive you nuts when they discontinue something you like?

[@michmash7888]

I’m trying Fantastico for the first time this year! Already lots of fruit on the plant. Looking forward to tasting them!

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

@@michmash7888 they are really yummy! I’m trying one this year called Sakura, I think we are getting close to the first ripe tomato!

[@cakedreamer85]

I’ve grown Brads Atomic Grape for years and my tomatoes have never looked quite like that. They were always smaller (grape size) and much much darker in color with lots of purple. I’m wondering if you received bad seed. I would say to give those another shot if you had the space just because I love them and find them quite delicious (even a bit under ripe doesn’t phase me) but they’ve never grown like that for me.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks so much for the input! I may put them back in the garden next year. Good to have you here, Krystle!

[@catofthecastle1681]

Mine looked much different also! Not the tastiest, but really good!

[@snipercat1123]

I’m growing 4 of your favorites (sweet 100, black cherry, sunrise bumble bee, & black strawberry) and Barry’s crazy cherry for the first time this year. I have heard many bad things about the black strawberry and lots of good things about Barry’s. No matter what I should have some delicious cherry tomatoes this year.

[@growandpreserve]

Nice! You should be very happy with your cherry tomato crop this year! I'm just finalizing my seed starting plan now. Such an exciting time! Please keep me posted on how these varieties do for you. So happy to have you here, SniperCat!

[@adinanicolae9774]

My favourite cherry tomato that I will recomand is indigo pear drop. The Best I have tried. IT is the equivalent of Pineapple tomato in cherry size.

[@JennB21]

thx for sharing! love the sun gold and one i thing you should try is the supernova.

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you for being here, Jennifer B! I'm not familiar with Supernova, but I will certainly look into it! Always appreciate recommendations!

[@JennB21]

@Grow and Preserve I've grown it for 2 years the flavor is unique but balanced not to aicd or sweet. the color is so interesting.

[@growandpreserve]

@@JennB21 I just looked it up. The coloring is gorgeous.

[@Fil-AmGardening]

I agree on the Barry’s Crazy Cherry Very prolific but taste is not real impressive But the Brad’s had been my top 3 favorite but yes, they crack so I harvest them earlier than I would prefer New subscriber here

[@bricksbeersbeards9368]

Gobstopper and Orange Roussollini, definitely, nice video!

[@growandpreserve]

I may have to grow those just because of the names! Thanks for the rec!

[@elainemarie1473]

My favorite cherry so far is the Indigo blue chocolate, They got larger than any of my other cherry tomatoes

[@growandpreserve]

Nice! I haven't tried that one.

[@davidgray1515]

I like a tomato called Lizzano. It is a hybrid and grows like a tumbler.

[@growandpreserve]

Nice. Thanks for the rec!

[@annmc3878]

We enjoy Black Cherry and Juliet and will keep growing those. I try out different ones other than those two. I’ve tried sunrise bumblebee it was okay, but cracked. Also Blush was pretty, but cracked. I did Honeycomb and orange cherry tomato which was good, but I wanted something more the size of the black cherry. I also grew Sparky, which was more the size I was looking for and was red with some striping and was good.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the info on Blush. I have some seeds but haven't tried it yet. Sounds like it won't make the cut this year either. Sparky sounds interesting, I'll look it up. Have you decided which you'll grow this year? Happy to have you here, Ann Mc!

[@annmc3878]

@@growandpreserve I decided to grow just 3 cherry tomatoes- Black Cherry, Juliet and Apple Yellow (new for me). We decided that 4 vigorous plants produced more than we needed. I prefer slicers.

[@growandpreserve]

@@annmc3878 Sounds like a good plan!

[@bixbyknollsCA]

The Sungold cheery and Super sweet 100 pale in comparison to the cherry tomato plants I grew from a package of japanese Hiiro cherry tomatoes from the grocery store. Best tasting cherry tomato I ever had, incredibly sweet, complex, and the right amount of acidity to sweetness. It has also been the most productive cherry tomato, double or triple the production of the super sweet 100. Maglia Rosa is also another good one.

[@growandpreserve]

Wow. Interesting! Thanks for the info.

[@r.louiseworley-parsley4208]

Snow White was very productive and sweet.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the tip!

[@patrickungashick8818]

Nice video!! Couple i have tried here in ohio sugar rush and amys sugar gem. Both very prolific and sweet!!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks for the suggestions, Patrick!

[@TheChristinaJo]

How to eat all and compare? I would eat all raw. Then all roasted, then all dried,etc. I’ve learned different tomatoes are used for different dishes/sauces/ etc. Different uses.

[@growandpreserve]

Nice idea!

[@simmran1]

I'm thinking you meant Ozark Seed Co. or Park Seed Co. Anyway, I shy away from Sweet Million because of the rampant plant habit, but it is good. I would add Sweet Baby or Sweet Baby Girl F1, and/or O-P Fruit Punch to you list. Nice video.

[@growandpreserve]

Oh dear. What seed company did I say? 🤦‍♀I haven't even heard of any of the ones you mentioned, but I'll look them up now! Yes, Sweet Million is totally crazy wild, but it covers an arched trellis so well, and it feeds my dehydrator all summer long!

[@lesdurham3]

Have you tried or grown Juliet red Cherry tomatoes,would appreciate your opinion on this one.

[@growandpreserve]

I have not, Les, but I have heard Sarah and Kevin from Living Traditions Homestead often mention that it's a winner for them.

[@trimntim]

A season not long ago, I bought two plants labeled simply "cherry tomato". Big mistake. I never thought there was such a thing as a bitter cherry tomato. Lesson learned. I now grow super sweet 100's and sun sugars exclusively.

[@growandpreserve]

Unfortunately, we all have to learn those lessons! Hopefully not more than once, though!

[@cochise2423]

I'm right there with you on those. All that Brad Gates has done you would think those varieties would taste better. He does breed my favorite though pink Berkley the dye.

[@growandpreserve]

So glad it's not just me! I've been looking for this year's wild card. I think you've just found it for me! I ordered pink berkley tie die. Gorgeous! Thanks so much for the suggestion. Happy to have you here,Cochise!

[@karenhamrick5426]

Old fashioned beef steak (not a hybrid) is a must.

[@unnamed2737]

Super sweet 100 and sungold are my top 2. When I have the extra room, blue berries and sunrise bumblebee get space too. I hated the atomic grape. It was disgusting.

[@growandpreserve]

Well, now that I know you have good taste, I'll put blueberries and sunrise bumble bee on my list to try!

[@Chuckbobuck201]

Brad's Atomic Grape is neither crack resistant, nor is it a grape tomato. I'm growing the Sunrise Bumble Bee, the Sungold, and a micro-dwarf cherry called Rosy Finch.

[@growandpreserve]

Nice, Toodles! I didn’t really get the classification on Brad’s Atomic Grape either! You picked some winners! Thank you for being here!

[@shanec8812]

I had a disappointing growing season this year. Out of 15 tomato plants 8 ended up being different than what I planted and seem to be saved hybrid seeds. I even had a black cherry that ended up being a pumpkin shaped huge tomato with no taste at all. I have no idea what it is. I did however grow the Atomic Grape and Barry's Crazy Cherry. I agree with you and won't grow the Atomic Grape again. It just didn't have much flavor. The plant is huge, prolific and strong though. I look forward to your next video like this.

[@growandpreserve]

Shane, so sorry about your growing season this year. I had the same issues with several of my pepper plants not being what they were supposed to be. One plant even grew two totally different shaped peppers on the same plant! I hope we all have a better garden year next year.

[@shanec8812]

@@growandpreserve Oh no, I am sorry to hear that for you as well. That is so crazy that even on the same plant things were off. Yesterday I threw out most of my seeds and going to start all over next year. Hope we both have better results next year. :)

[@mikami1]

Where do you get your seeds for Sun Sugar? I get th bstarts at my local nursery and the ar emuch bigger than yours, also more yellow

[@growandpreserve]

I've gotten them from a couple different places over the years. Most recently Jonny's. Maybe Totally Tomato as well.

[@CHICHISWEETS]

I agree w/ you about Brads atomic grape , except I find it prolific & disgusting 🤮! My favs to “sprinkle” on a salad are EVERGLADE ( strong tomato flavor & prolific), & Yellow Currant (awesome tomato flavor). I’ve had great success with w/ PURPLE Bumblebee. It’s a larger cherry, slightly tougher skin, no splitting, awesome tomato flavor.

[@dtassler]

First year with cherry tomatoes. I did Super Sweet 100 and Sun Sugar. I liked the yellow the best.

[@growandpreserve]

Darla, you picked two winners for your first year! The Sun Sugars are hard to beat, aren't they?

[@kaycullen4353]

Sun Sugar!!!

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

Cherry tomatoes always have a tough skin imo. They are good for sundried tomatoes, but the whole ‘genre’ is not my favorite. I like big fat juicy tomatoes! 🤎😂

[@growandpreserve]

Ack! Really? I like all kinds, but the cherries are definitely my fave!

[@nikkster01]

try Scotland Yellow a large yellow cherry DONT try golden pear most tasteless thing Ive ever grown Sweet 100 seems to be a world wide favorite

[@growandpreserve]

Scotland Yellow. I'll have to look that one up! I haven't found a pear version yet that was worth growing. Thanks for chiming in, Nik! Happy to have you here.

[@javiernavarrojr4327]

You should try growing isis candy cherry tomato

[@growandpreserve]

I tried last year, but the massive heat wave took it out. I should have put it on this year's list. I will try it again though. I've heard it's amazing. Thanks so much for the recommendation, Javier!

[@49525Bob]

Every reviewer talks about sweet as though that's the reason for a tomato being good. I prefer a tomato which tastes like a tomato, such as a Rutgers. Haven't found a cherry tomato yet that is as good. Your saying the sweet million isn't as sweet as the 100 I take as a plus. I have grown both. This year it will be more millions than 100's.

[@growandpreserve]

My husband prefers an old fashioned tomato taste as well. I’ll have to try Rutgers one day.

[@johnjude2685]

Sun Gold and isis candy, sweet 1000 just sugar bombs like suckers just sweet thumbs down. Our favorite Midnight Snack and Honey Gold. We like eating Brad's Atomic Grape but not enough productive. BRAD'S needs to show its orange lighting bolts to fully ripped or don't judge them. Thanks for showing

[@growandpreserve]

I love seeing the varieties others love! Honey Gold definitely sounds like it's up my alley. I'll have to look into Midnight Snack. Thanks for chiming in, John!

[@johnjude2685]

Our favorite 3 season were the Honey Comb and we had lost the record and refined the information and the Midnight Snack last season were among big names salad and everyone did ask for the Midnight Snack and this season we are very excited to match them against our favorite. The lady that recommended Midnight Snack now clamps Candy Land is their circle favorite and her kids. Tomato are the favorite of vegetables it seems.

[@growandpreserve]

@@johnjude2685 Yes, tomatoes are definitely the garden superstar! Isn't it fun?! Happy to have you here, John Jude!

[@yerneedsry]

Yes you bashed the barrys crazy cherry is super sweet and delish you must not of got a ripe one...

[@growandpreserve]

Maybe! Perhaps I'll try growing again next year. Thanks so much for the input!

[@bradkofron6022]

Pick brads atomic a little sooner

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Brad. I'll try that next time.

[@trinade3732]

Too many sweets. you should balance some real hearty tomatoey tomato cherry. I guess it's all about preference and what you going to use your cherry tomatoes for. if you go to the store to buy a tomato you want a tomato flavor tomato. so when i go to my garden I'm wanting a tomatoey tomatoes as well. Then I balance out with some sweets. I myself, prefer a tomato salad over a sugar salad but that's just my preference. I always have sugar cherry tomato growing for my grandkids, that very rarely make into the house.

[@growandpreserve]

I like my slicers to have big tomato flavor, but I want my cherries to be little treats! It's a good thing there are so many varieties to please all of us! Good to have you here, Trina!

[@trinade3732]

@@growandpreserve Yup. there's a variety for everyone's taste buds. And like wine each has its individual food /or pairing. I have learned that if I roast a tomato and top my pizza it is quite different than the same tomato just popped fresh flavor in my mouth, Love both. Some work Some don't. I use a lot of my sweet cherries to compliment my heirloom beef steaks in my tomato and pizza sauces. So much fun experimenting each year. I also grow a lot of dwarfs. Happy gardening.

[@davidhoward2412]

Considering the expression on your face I will not grow them, meaning the last 2, and don't think you will either😅

[@growandpreserve]

Ha! Good call--on both counts! It's good to have you here, David!

[@trinade3732]

If you're talking about Atomic Grape they actually have an outstanding flavor. they are too large and not meant to be pop in your mouth. the skins are slightly tough but when sliced thin on tacos or in drier salsas and salads they add a unique Flavour and a welcome change to our menu. Sometimes it's just about your growing conditions. your soil, fertilizer regiment, placement in the garden and water. they love 8 hours of Sun but NO harsh afternoon. Cherry tomatoes don't really need as much watering as some think, especially after they start to blush. (I don't water) I grow them IN A POT, I use tall 15 gallons from nurseries, so I can control size and experience more varieties, FERTILIZE as soon as you see the first group of flowers then at least every 2-3 weeks. You can see your water go out the bottom of the pot that means your fertilizer is as well. Very little nitrogen and higher in phosphate and potash and fish emulsion. (2-10-10 ratio). I would not give up on them, at least try one season and remember as in everything in your garden, whatever to put in you get back. Happy Gardening.

[@arbedeel7]