In some climates, tomatoes are endlessly bountiful. Here in the Pacific Northwest, where even in mid-summer temperatures remain moderate, tomatoes can be the most unpredictable and uncertain of crops. Professional growers in our area nearly always grow tomatoes under cover (meaning in a greenhouse or field tunnel), but this isn’t always a feasible option for the small-scale grower or home gardener. Regardless of your tomato management techniques, if you want a prolific and tasty harvest, it helps to start with the right varieties.
Read MoreFavorite Tomato Varieties of 2014
Clockwise from top: Green Zebra, Sungold, Stupice, Black Cherry, and Prudens Purple (center)
All photos by: Hilary Dahl