Photo: "Solanum lycopersicum (fruit with raindrops)" by Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0

Tomato · Slicer-heirloom

Rutgers Tomato

Indeterminate · Solanaceae

Rutgers is the famous New Jersey-bred heirloom developed in the 1930s for rich flavor, uniform shape, and all-purpose kitchen use. It is a classic red slicer that also cans well, making it especially appealing to Northeastern gardeners who want a historic, dependable tomato with old-school taste.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

70–80 days

Sun

8+ hours

full sun 8+ hours

Spacing

24–36 "

Seed Start

6–8 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

10+ gallon pot

Height

3–5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Seed Depth 0.25"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 60°F

Harden Off 7 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs Consistent

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Soil Type Warm, fertile loam with good drainage and high organic matter.

Support Cage — Sturdy cages or stakes keep medium slicers off the ground and reduce cracking and disease.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Low Drought: Low

Common Problems

early-blight

Cause: Leaf wetness, splashing soil, and aging foliage let fungal spots move upward.

Prevention: Mulch, prune lower leaves, water at the base, and rotate plantings.

blossom-end-rot

Cause: Moisture swings limit calcium movement into fast-growing fruit.

Prevention: Keep watering consistent and avoid sudden drought stress.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Calcium Critical — supplement recommended

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress

Harvest

Fruits should be fully red, firm but not hard, and heavy for size with a slight give at the blossom end.

Expected Yield 10–18 lbs/plant

Storage 5 days — Store at cool room temperature for best flavor, refrigerating only when fully ripe and you need to slow softening.

Sources

seed_catalog Hoss university Penn State Extension

More Tomatos

Rutgers Tomato Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Rutgers Tomato vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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