Easy Tomato Growing: Switch to Dwarf and Micro Varieties

Why I’m Switching to Growing Dwarf and Micro Tomatoes

March is here, which means it’s time for one of my favourite gardening activities – sowing tomato seeds! There’s nothing quite like the excitement of getting those little seeds started, knowing that in a few months, I’ll be picking fresh, homegrown tomatoes.

But this year, I’m making a bit of a change. After years of growing everything from towering indeterminate varieties to compact bush tomatoes, I’ve decided to focus on dwarf and micro tomatoes. It’s a bit of a shift, but one that makes total sense for my garden – and it might just be the perfect change for yours too!

So today, I want to take you through my reasons for switching, the benefits of these smaller tomato plants, and the varieties I’m growing this season.

Why the Change?

If you’ve been following my gardening journey, you’ll know I’ve been growing and testing different tomato varieties for over eight years. I’ve had some fantastic successes with big, sprawling plants, but I’ve also run into some challenges – mainly around space and maintenance.

Living in a small city garden means I don’t have endless room for plants that take over. Indeterminate (cordon) tomatoes, which grow indefinitely, need constant pruning, staking, and feeding to keep them happy. While they do produce loads of fruit, they can also be a bit of a handful.

That’s where dwarf and micro tomatoes come in. These little powerhouses offer all the deliciousness of homegrown tomatoes without the hassle. They take up less space, need less maintenance, and can be grown almost anywhere – even on a sunny window ledge!

The Benefits of Dwarf and Micro Tomatoes

1. Smaller Plants, Less Work

One of the biggest advantages of these varieties is that they’re naturally compact. Dwarf tomatoes typically grow two to three feet tall, while micro tomatoes max out at around 12 inches. That means no more wrestling with towering plants that need constant tying up and pruning!

Unlike indeterminate varieties, which keep growing and need regular side-shoot removal, dwarf and micro tomatoes don’t need extensive pruning. You can pretty much let them do their thing with minimal fuss – perfect if you’re after an easy-growing option.

2. Perfect for Small Spaces

Whether you’ve got a tiny garden, a balcony, or just a windowsill, these tomatoes will fit right in. They’re ideal for containers, raised beds, and even hanging baskets. Plus, they grow well in greenhouses, which is great if you’re looking to extend your growing season.

I love that I can dot these little plants around my garden, filling every available space with productive, compact plants instead of having a few big ones taking over.

3. Lower Water and Nutrient Needs

Big tomato plants need a lot of food and water to keep up with their rapid growth. Dwarf and micro varieties? Not so much!

Because they’re smaller, they have lower nutrient and water requirements, making them a great option if you’re looking to keep your gardening a bit more low-maintenance. They’re also perfect for containers, as they won’t outgrow their pots or dry out too quickly in the summer.

4. Fast-Growing and Early Harvests

One of the most exciting things about micro tomatoes is that they mature quickly – some in as little as 40-50 days! That means you can get earlier harvests compared to bigger varieties that take months to start producing.

This also makes them brilliant for indoor growing. You can start them early in the season, keep them going later into autumn, and even have fresh tomatoes in winter if you grow them under lights!

My Tomato Varieties for This Year

I’ve chosen a mix of dwarf and micro tomatoes to trial this season, each offering something a little different in terms of size, colour, and flavour. Here’s what I’m growing:

• Mongolian Dwarf – A tiny plant (just 25cm tall!) that produces lovely red, salad-sized tomatoes.

• Tiny Tim – A classic micro variety that stays compact (30cm) and is perfect for windowsills.

• Blaue ZimmerTomat – A micro bush type with striking purple/black-tinged red tomatoes.

• Aztek – A cheerful little plant that produces yellow cherry tomatoes and thrives indoors.

• Anmore Dewdrop – A dwarf variety that’s highly productive, giving loads of red cherry tomatoes.

• Bajaja – A bushy tomato (40-50cm tall) that produces sweet, juicy red cherry tomatoes.

• Gold Dust – A slightly taller dwarf variety (70cm) with beautiful orange-yellow fruit.

• Antho Pink Panther – A plum-shaped, deep red/burgundy tomato on a compact plant (120cm).

• Aftershock – A large yellow tomato growing up to 120cm, offering a brilliant contrast in the garden.

I’m really excited to see how these do – especially the super-compact micros like Tiny Tim and Aztek, which should be fantastic for growing indoors!

Perfect for Beginners

If you’ve never grown tomatoes before, dwarf and micro varieties are a brilliant place to start. They don’t take up much room, they’re easy to care for, and they produce lots of fruit without all the maintenance of bigger plants.

I’ve also put together loads of resources to help you get started, including step-by-step guides and videos on sowing, growing, and troubleshooting tomato plants. You’ll find links to those in the pinned comment on the video.

Will I Grow Big Tomatoes Again?

I won’t say never! There’s something really satisfying about growing a massive beefsteak tomato, but for now, I’m really excited about this switch. Dwarf and micro tomatoes fit my space, my time, and my love of experimenting.

So if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, high-reward way to grow your own tomatoes this year, why not give them a go? I’d love to hear about your favourite varieties – let me know in the comments if you’ve grown any of these before!

Happy growing!