Our readers keep the lights on and the coffee maker working hard! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Not all red globes are created equal. The New Yorker tomato was bred specifically for northern growers who need a reliable, early-maturing slicer that sets fruit even in cooler summers, and its compact determinate habit makes it a standout for small-space gardeners who refuse to compromise on flavor density.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. By cross-referencing dozens of seed packets, studying USDA hardiness zone data, and mapping germination reports side by side, I pin down which varieties actually deliver on their harvest promises for home growers.
Whether you need a paste champion for canning or a sweet cherry for salads, narrowing down the field of contenders starts with a solid list. This guide is built around the best new yorker tomato picks that earn their place in a practical home garden plan.
How To Choose The Right New Yorker Tomato
Choosing a tomato for your garden means matching the plant’s growth habit and maturity speed to your local climate, available space, and culinary goals. The New Yorker is a determinate slicer, but other varieties on this list behave very differently.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate Growth
New Yorker is a determinate dwarf — it grows to a fixed height, sets fruit all at once, and finishes early. This is perfect for canning a massive batch in a short window. Indeterminate varieties like Big Boy keep growing and producing until frost, giving you a steady supply of fresh slicers all season.
Days to Maturity and Your Growing Zone
New Yorker matures in roughly 65–70 days from transplant, making it a top pick for Zone 5 and colder regions where summers are short. Burpee’s Big Boy needs about 78 days, so northern growers should start seeds indoors earlier to compensate.
Culinary Use: Paste, Slicer, or Snacker
San Marzano and SuperSauce are paste tomatoes with thick flesh and low moisture — ideal for sauces. Big Boy and New Yorker are classic slicers for sandwiches. Cherry tomatoes like Shimmer or Angel Sweet are perfect for salads and snacking straight off the vine.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME GROWN San Marzano Seeds | Heirloom Paste | Rich sauce & canning | Indeterminate, 5 ft height | Amazon |
| Burpee Big Boy Seeds | Classic Slicer | Large sandwich slices | 78 days to maturity | Amazon |
| Burpee Starter Kit (4 varieties) | Variety Pack | Learning & variety | Includes pots & coir pellets | Amazon |
| Tomato – 1 Each | Fresh Fruit | Immediate eating | Vine-ripened, single unit | Amazon |
| Sunset Cherry Angel Sweet | Cherry Tomato | Snacking & salads | 10 oz container | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. HOME GROWN San Marzano Tomato Seeds (132+ Seeds)
This pack delivers over 130 non-GMO, heirloom San Marzano seeds sourced from trusted USA farms, and the germination reports from verified buyers are consistently strong — many reporting sprouts within five days on a heat mat. The indeterminate vines can climb to five feet, so plan for sturdy cages or trellising from the start.
San Marzano is the gold standard for paste tomatoes because of its thick, meaty flesh and very few seeds, which translates to less simmering time and a naturally sweet, low-acid sauce. The included QR-code planting guide helps beginners avoid common pitfalls like inconsistent watering that causes blossom-end rot.
Multiple reviewers commented that growth feels slow compared to hybrids, but the flavor payoff at harvest is worth the patience. If you want a single variety that dominates the sauce and canning category, this is the most reliable entry point on the list.
What works
- Outstanding germination rate confirmed by dozens of buyers
- Thick, low-seed flesh perfect for sauces and canning
- Comes with detailed online grow guide via QR code
What doesn’t
- Vines require sturdy support due to indeterminate growth habit
- Slower to ripen compared to determinate hybrid varieties
2. Burpee Big Boy Tomato Seeds (125 Seeds)
Burpee’s Big Boy has been a household name since 1949, and this packet still delivers 125 non-GMO seeds that typically germinate faster than industry average — a claim backed by Burpee’s 35% higher standard. The indeterminate plants reach about 48 inches tall with a 24-inch spread, producing 13-ounce fruits that are perfect for thick sandwich slices.
Reviewers consistently praise the high germination rate and the vigorous early growth of the seedlings, with several noting that every seed they planted sprouted. The 78-day maturity window means you’ll need to start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost to maximize your summer harvest window.
If your goal is a classic, aromatic beefsteak-style tomato for fresh eating rather than processing, this hybrid delivers reliable size and flavor that has satisfied gardeners for over seven decades. The biggest trade-off is the longer wait compared to early determinates like New Yorker.
What works
- Proven hybrid with consistent 13-ounce fruit size
- Germination rate above industry standard
- Strong, aromatic flavor ideal for sandwiches
What doesn’t
- 78-day maturity is long for short-summer zones
- Indeterminate habit requires tall staking or caging
3. Burpee Best Starter Kit (4 Tomato Varieties)
This all-in-one kit includes seed packets for SuperSauce paste, SteakHouse beefsteak, Fourth of July slicer, and Shimmer cherry tomatoes — plus four pots, four coir pellets, and plant markers. It’s designed to eliminate the guesswork of gathering separate supplies, making it a low-friction entry point for new gardeners or a fun project with kids.
The coir pellets expand dramatically when water is added, and multiple reviews note that the soil volume can overflow the pots if you’re not careful. Even so, buyers report seedlings sprouting within three days, and the variety pack lets you compare growth habits and flavors from a single purchase.
If you’re unsure which tomato type suits your garden best, this kit gives you a paste, a beefsteak, an early slicer, and a cherry to test side by side. The trade-off is that the pots are small and you’ll need to transplant to larger containers within a few weeks.
What works
- Includes everything needed to start seeds indoors
- Four distinct tomato types for comparison growing
- Seeds sprout quickly, often within 3 days
What doesn’t
- Pots are small; transplanting needed very early
- No printed instructions included in the package
4. Tomato – 1 Each
This listing is a fresh, vine-ripened tomato sold as a single piece — not seeds or a plant. Buyers describe it as firm, meaty, and sweet, with the vine attachment helping the fruit stay fresh longer on the counter. It’s a convenient option if you need a tomato immediately for tonight’s dinner rather than waiting weeks for a harvest.
Because this is fresh produce, quality is highly dependent on shipping and handling. Some reviews mention that mold can develop during transit, so inspect the fruit immediately upon arrival and be prepared to eat it within a day or two for peak flavor.
If you’re a gardener looking to compare store-bought flavor against your own homegrown New Yorker harvest, this is a useful benchmark. But for anyone planning a garden, seeds or starter plants will always offer better value and variety over a single fruit.
What works
- Firm, sweet fruit ready to eat immediately
- Vine attachment extends counter freshness
What doesn’t
- Single piece only; limited quantity
- Shipping can cause mold or damage
5. Sunset Tomato Cherry Angel Sweet (10 oz)
These cherry tomatoes from Sunset come in a 10-ounce container and are described by buyers as extremely sweet and intensely flavorful — a “cherry bomb of flavor explosion,” according to one verified review. They work well in salads, on bruschetta, or halved on top of pizza, and the sweetness pairs nicely with balsamic vinegar and cucumber.
Because this is a fresh produce item, consistency varies by shipment. One review noted they are “typical supermarket tomatoes,” while another gave high marks for taste. As with any fresh fruit, inspect the container on arrival and plan to use them within a few days for best results.
For home gardeners, these cherry tomatoes are a good benchmark for sweetness, but growing your own cherry variety like Shimmer from the Burpee starter kit will likely yield even fresher, more consistent results across the season.
What works
- Very sweet, intense cherry tomato flavor
- Versatile for salads, bruschetta, and pizza
What doesn’t
- Fresh produce; quality varies per shipment
- Small container with limited quantity
Hardware & Specs Guide
Days to Maturity (DTM)
This is the number of days from transplanting the seedling outdoors to the first ripe fruit. New Yorker matures in about 65–70 days, while Big Boy takes 78. Northern growers with fewer than 100 frost-free days should prioritize shorter DTM varieties or start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Determinate plants (like New Yorker) grow to a fixed height and set fruit all at once — ideal for canning. Indeterminate plants (like San Marzano and Big Boy) keep growing and producing until frost, giving a steady supply of fresh fruit. Your choice depends on whether you want a single harvest or continuous picking.
Fruit Type and Use
Paste tomatoes (San Marzano, SuperSauce) have thick, meaty flesh with few seeds — perfect for sauces and canning. Slicers (Big Boy, New Yorker) are juicy and balanced for sandwiches. Cherry tomatoes (Shimmer, Angel Sweet) are small, sweet, and best for salads and snacking.
Seed Count and Germination
Seed packets range from 125 to 132 seeds per packet for most premium brands. Look for high germination rate claims — Burpee guarantees 35% higher than industry standard. Always start more seeds than you need and thin to the strongest seedlings after true leaves appear.
FAQ
What makes the New Yorker tomato different from other varieties?
Can I grow San Marzano tomatoes in a container?
How many tomato plants do I need for a family of four?
What causes the black spots on the bottom of my tomatoes?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best new yorker tomato winner is the HOME GROWN San Marzano because its heirloom quality, high germination rate, and meaty paste flesh deliver the most reliable path to a bountiful sauce harvest. If you want a classic sandwich slicer with proven hybrid vigor, grab the Burpee Big Boy. And for beginners who want to sample multiple types in one season, nothing beats the Burpee Starter Kit.