Rutgers Tomatoes: A Jersey Classic with Proven Performance

Rutgers tomatoes are an iconic American heirloom variety developed at Rutgers University and beloved by gardeners for nearly a century. These medium-sized, deep red tomatoes deliver rich, authentic flavor and exceptional disease resistance. Rutgers tomatoes thrive in various growing conditions and produce abundantly, making them a reliable choice for gardeners seeking a proven variety with genuine heritage and outstanding taste.

The Rutgers Tomato Legacy

Rutgers tomatoes are prized for their exceptional flavor and disease resistance, particularly to verticillium and fusarium wilt. The plants are vigorous and productive, delivering consistent harvests throughout the season. This determinate variety is known for its meaty texture, balanced flavor, and ability to perform well in both home gardens and commercial settings. Rutgers tomatoes are versatile—excellent fresh, ideal for sauces and cooking, and perfect for preserving.

Starting Seeds and Transplanting

Begin Rutgers seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain warm, moist conditions until seedlings emerge. Once they develop their first true leaves, transplant into larger containers. Harden off plants gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors after all frost danger has passed.

Select a location with full sun exposure—at least 6 to 8 hours daily. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart in well-draining soil enriched with compost or aged manure. Water deeply and consistently, providing about 1 to 2 inches per week. Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Support and Seasonal Care

Rutgers tomatoes benefit from basic support with stakes or cages to keep fruit off the ground and improve air circulation. Light pruning of lower leaves helps reduce disease pressure and maximize the variety's natural disease resistance. The determinate growth habit means less ongoing maintenance compared to indeterminate varieties.

Harvesting Authentic Flavor

Fruit typically matures 70 to 80 days after transplanting. Harvest Rutgers tomatoes when they reach full red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. These tomatoes are excellent fresh, ideal for homemade sauces and cooking, and perfect for canning. Their authentic flavor and proven performance make Rutgers a timeless choice for any garden.

In Summary

The Rutgers Tomato has all the best tomato qualities—medium tomato size, smooth tomato skin, bright red tomato color, slightly flattened tomato shape, old-fashioned tomato flavor, compact tomato plant, reliable tomato production, generous tomato yields, and kind to animals. A tomato you can take home to meet the family.

• High yields
• Sweet and juicy
• Reliable production
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING INFO

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper