Most of Kentucky lies in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b , which think of that Lycopersicon esculentum can be set about indoors around March 25 and lay outside around April 20 in westerly Kentucky and May 15 in northern Kentucky , reports the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service . The Bluegrass State is seamster - made for tomato succeeder – they " grow under a wide range of conditions with minimal travail , " fit in to " Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky . "
Determinate
Tomatoes that reach a genetically make up one’s mind superlative and yield over a set period of time are call in determinates .
The University of Kentucky ’s Department of Horticulture recommend Early Girl , at 58 days , as its quickest - maturing epitope , followed by Big ahead of time at 62 days . Celebrity , one of the most pop cross , matures in 75 days and also makes the department ’s leaning in " Vegetable Cultivars for Kentucky Gardens 2009 . " Mountain Fresh , Fabulous and Carolina Gold win nods and age in 72 to 77 days .
If you want to grow a library paste tomato for sauce or canning , the best varieties for Kentucky include Plumb Dandy , Roma VP and Plum Crimson , which mature in 76 to 80 days .
Indeterminate
Other tomatoes rise until frost and proceed to take over fruit . The earliest - maturity tomato plant in the undetermined class recommend for Kentucky is the Sun Gold ( 57 Clarence Day ) , known for its intense sweet flavor . Also well suited are adult Beef , Better Boy and Pink Girl , maturing in 70 to 72 days , and Bucks County Hybrid and Better Boy , at 74 and 75 day respectively .
Heirloom
lenient and flavorous heirloom varieties lost favor after World War II because they do n’t transport well and may lack shelf appeal , but home base nurseryman prefer them for their taste .
One of the most famous heirloom tomato , Brandywine , draw the University of Kentucky ’s advocate list , as extension specialiser note its " expectant flavor , " large 12 oz . to 16 oz . fruit and choice of reddened , pinkish and yellow fruits . Brandywine matures in 78 days . The university also lists Kentucky Beefsteak , a large yellow heirloom that age in 90 days .
Bill Best of Berea , Kentucky , president of the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center , lists the Anna Russian as his favorite heirloom , followed by Yellow German , Kentucky Beefsteak , and the Mountain Pride , Mountain Gold , and others in the " Mountain Series " develop at the Fletcher Experiment Station in Fletcher , North Carolina .
Cherry
Famous cherry tree love apple type Juliet and Supersweet 100 make the grade for Kentucky , as they do elsewhere , making many other states ' recommended lists of cultivars . In improver , state horticulturalists recommend Cherry Grande , Sugary , Sungold ( amber ) , Sweetie , Mountain Belle , Jolly ( pear tree - shaped and pink ) and the Cupid grapeshot tomato . All mature in 60 to 71 day .
Patio
Basket King , a determinate that matures in 55 Day , should grow well in Kentucky , according to the prolongation military service ’s listing .
Greenhouse
Trust tomatoes are a customer favorite for flavor but stick significant disease problems , according to Robert G. Anderson , horticulture specialist at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service .
