Taming the Tomato Patch:
The Best-Tasting Varieties & the Plants to Keep at Bay
Tomatoes may be the crown jewel of the summer garden, but growing them well means more than sunshine and water. It’s about choosing the best-tasting varieties and keeping away incompatible plants that can reduce yields or encourage disease. Fortunately, the research team at Johnny’s Selected Seeds has done the flavor-testing for us — and we’re here to share which tomatoes shine on the plate and which plants should steer clear of your vines.
Johnny’s Picks: The Best-Tasting Tomatoes
When it comes to flavor, the research team at Johnny’s doesn’t just test for yield or disease resistance. They conduct blind taste panels, examine texture, balance of sweetness and acidity, and chef-level appeal. Here are standout varieties worth growing in your Kris Hopkins Raised Gardens:
1. ‘Sun Gold’ (Cherry – Indeterminate)
Flavor: Bursting with tropical sweetness and tang.
Why Grow It: Often called “garden candy,” this orange cherry is a winner for kids and culinary types alike.
2. ‘Brandywine’ (Beefsteak – Indeterminate)
Flavor: Deep, rich, and almost smoky in its savory profile.
Why Grow It: A legendary heirloom tomato with old-world taste and stunning pink flesh.
3. ‘Pink Berkeley Tie Dye’ (Striped – Indeterminate)
Flavor: Complex, with balanced acidity and sweetness.
Why Grow It: Striking marbled color, rich texture, and bold flavor that chefs rave about.
4. ‘Citrine’ (Grape – Determinate)
Flavor: Tangy and vibrant with excellent texture.
Why Grow It: Highly productive, perfect for snacking or dehydrating into “tomato raisins.”
5. ‘Mountain Magic’ (Campari-style – Indeterminate)
Flavor: Sweet, slightly floral, and resistant to cracking.
Why Grow It: Hybrid vigor with heirloom flavor — great for humid regions or disease-prone zones.
Tomato Trouble: Plants to Keep Away
Tomatoes are picky companions. Certain vegetables and herbs can compete for nutrients, harbor disease, or even release chemicals that stunt growth. This is known as allelopathy — and it’s more common than most gardeners think.
Plants to Avoid Near Tomatoes:
PlantReasonFennelAllelopathic: inhibits tomato growthPotatoesShare blight and disease riskEggplantSame family, same diseases (especially blight)CornAttracts tomato fruitwormOkraProne to similar pestsPole BeansCompete for space and airflowCabbage Family (Brassicas)Incompatible root competitionDill (mature)Can stunt tomatoes in late growth stagesBroccoli / CauliflowerCompete heavily for nutrients
🌿 Better Companions for Tomatoes:
Instead, grow these nearby for better health and flavor:
Basil – Enhances tomato growth and repels pests
Borage – Attracts pollinators and deters tomato hornworms
Marigolds – Suppress nematodes and pests
Chives / Garlic – Repel aphids and whiteflies
Carrots / Lettuce – Low-growing and complementary
Garden Wisdom Sidebar: Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Not sure what kind of tomato you’re planting? The difference affects everything from how you stake your vines to how long you’ll harvest.
TypeDescriptionBest ForDeterminateGrows to a set height, then stops and fruits all at onceCanning, container gardens, short harvest windowsIndeterminateKeeps growing and producing until frostFresh eating, trellising, season-long harvest
Pro Tip: If you want an early harvest with a quick finish, try determinates like ‘Citrine’ or ‘Roma’. For a season-long supply, stake up ‘Sun Gold’ or ‘Brandywine’ and prune them lightly for airflow.
Final Thoughts
Great tomato flavor is part art, part science. With help from the experts at Johnny’s Selected Seeds and some simple companion planting wisdom, your raised beds can yield the kind of tomatoes that make even a simple sandwich feel gourmet.
Whether you’re running a market garden or just feeding your family from a 42” Kris Hopkins bed, these selections and strategies will give you the luscious results you’re after.
Until next time...
I am...
Phil Wilson...
And, here’s to Living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!