Favorite Cluster & Vine Tomatoes

Norman A. Plate

'Early Cascade'

Fruits per cluster: 5 to 8

Average fruit length, weight: 2½ in., 3½ oz.

Notes: Large fruit has meaty flesh with well-balanced flavor.

Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Tomato Growers Supply, Territorial Seed Company,and West Coast Seeds

Norman A. Plate

'Garden Peach'

Fruits per cluster: 6 to 9

Average fruit length, weight: 1 3⁄8 in., 3/4 oz.

Notes: These tomatoes look like small peaches, complete with fuzzy skin. Full flavor.

Seed sources: Tomato Growers Supply or Territorial Seed Company

Norman A. Plate

'Juliet'

Fruits per cluster: 6 to 9

Average fruit length, weight: 1¼ in., ¾ oz.

Notes: First tomato to ripen in our trials, this 1999 All-America Selection produced large crops of firm, acidic fruit. Plant needs sturdy support.

Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds or Totally Tomatoes

Robin Cushman

'Santa'

Fruits per cluster: 6 to 13

Average fruit length, weight: 1 in., ¼ oz.

Notes: Rated the most flavorful tomato in our tasting, it has a nice sweet-tart balance ― and the fruit doesn't split. Vigorous vine resists late blight.

Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds or Totally Tomatoes

Robin Cushman

'Sausalito Cocktail'

Fruits per cluster: 6 to 8

Average fruit length, weight: 1¼ in., ¾ oz.

Notes: Small plant grows well in hanging baskets, since its vines grow to about 2 feet. Mild flavor. Fruit splits in rain.

Seed sources: Tomato Growers Supply or Territorial Seed Company

Robin Cushman

'Sun Gold'

Fruits per cluster: 8 to 14

Average fruit length, weight: 1 1⁄8 in., 1⁄2 oz.

Notes: Gold-fleshed cherry tomato is as sweet as candy. Fruit splits in rain.

Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Tomato Growers Supply, Territorial Seed Company, Totally Tomatoes, or West Coast Seeds

Robin Cushman

'Principe Borghese'

Fruits per cluster: 6 to 9

Average fruit length, weight: 1 5⁄8 in., 1 1⁄2 oz.

Notes: Standard drying tomato in Italy; its meaty flesh has rich flavor. Plant has a vigorous habit.

Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Tomato Growers Supply, Territorial Seed Company, Totally Tomatoes, or West Coast Seeds

Our favorite cluster tomatoes

'Early Cascade'

'Garden Peach'

'Juliet'

'Santa'

'Sausalito Cocktail'

'Sun Gold'

'Principe Borghese'