According to Wikipedia, there are over 7500 types of tomatoes.  Part of learning how to grow tomatoes is understanding the differences between different types of tomato plant.  The most apparent differences have to do with color and size, but the differences go far beyond those.  Keep reading to  learn more about how to select the type of plant that is right for you when growing tomatoes from seed.

There are four general categories of tomato.  The first, and smallest, is the cherry tomato which includes grape tomato and all of the smaller varieties.  Plum tomatoes are the next largest variety and are distinguished by an oblong shape and slightly larger size than the cherry tomato.  Moving up in size, the medium tomato is probably what you think of when you think of a tomato.  It has the classic tomato shape and is of a size with an average sized apple. 

The beefsteak tomato is the final type and the largest.  These behemoths are often sliced and used to garnish burgers.  The beefsteak is roughly the same shape as the medium tomato, but is often less symmetric.  If you think of a large, ugly tomato with some great flavor, then you are definitely talking about a beefsteak.

There are numerous varieties within each category above.  The size of a particular variety of tomato can vary widely within the category as can the color.  Tomatoes come in every color from white to purple or yellow to orange and, of course, the classic red.  Another major difference in tomatoes is the flavor.  If you are looking for a particular attribute, such as being flavorful, or being good in sauces, do some research on Google before purchasing the seeds.

Regardless of the type of tomato you choose, once you know how to grow tomatoes of one type, you can effectively grow any type.

There are two more things to consider when growing tomatoes from seed.  The first is if the variety is determinate or indeterminate.  The fruit from determinate varieties ripen all at the same time.  When the plant is done ripening, no more fruit will appear.  On the hand, indeterminate varieties continue to grow, and therefore, continue to produce new flowers and new fruit.

The final distinction between varieties of tomatoes is whether it is an heirloom or hybrid variety.  This distinction has to do with the seed and how the seed was created.  As you learn the ins and outs of how to grow tomatoes, it is likely that you will want to grow both types.  Heirloom tomato seeds are seeds that were gathered from plants that had particular desirable attribute and replanted.  With each generation of the seed, plants with less desirable traits would be discarded, while seeds for the next generation would be gathered from plants with more desirable traits.

With hybrid tomato seeds the culling of undesired traits is sped up considerably by splicing genes in the laboratory.  If you are interested in retaining your own seeds to plant the following year, heirloom seeds are probably your best bet, however, if you don’t want to retain the seeds, you may be able to have more control over the attributes you want with hybrid seeds. 

Understanding what type of tomato you want to grow is the first step in learning how to grow tomatoes.  I have created a website that discusses everything you need to know about growing tomatoes from seed.  Click Growing Tomatoes to visit this great resource.