Determinate: A type of plant, especially tomatoes, that grows to a certain size and then stops, ripening all its fruit at roughly the same time.
Imagine determinate tomatoes as plants that know their limits. They grow to a specific size, usually a bush form, and then stop getting bigger. Once they reach that point, they focus on ripening their fruit all at once, or over a relatively short period. This makes them a good choice for gardeners who want a concentrated harvest.
In your home garden, determinate tomatoes are often preferred for container gardening or for those who plan to can or preserve a large batch of tomatoes at once. Because they have a defined growing season, they don’t require staking or pruning as extensively as indeterminate tomatoes. Knowing that a tomato plant is determinate helps you plan your garden space and anticipate when you’ll be harvesting your delicious tomatoes.
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