Rutgers Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Price: $2.95
SKU: 3400171Choose a variant:
75 days, indeterminate - The plants are beautifully well behaved and compact for an indeterminate variety. Its fruit typically weigh about six ounces, are bright red in color, globular and slightly flattened in shape with smooth, thick walls that are crack resistant. Good for fresh slicing, cooking, juicing, as well as for canning - an excellent all-purpose variety.
'Rutgers' is the result of stabilizing a cross made in 1928 between 'J. T. D.' and 'Marglobe' by Dr. Lyman G. Schermerhorn at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station[1,2] and introduced in 1934.[2,3] Developed for New Jersey's tomato processors, companies such as Campbell's Soup and Heinz, it remained popular with commercial growers throughout the mid-twentieth century.
Home gardeners quickly "discovered" its fine juice and canning properties. Long after it was replaced by newer varieties in the commercial tomato industry, it remains a popular home garden variety to this day.
'Rutgers' is the result of stabilizing a cross made in 1928 between 'J. T. D.' and 'Marglobe' by Dr. Lyman G. Schermerhorn at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station[1,2] and introduced in 1934.[2,3] Developed for New Jersey's tomato processors, companies such as Campbell's Soup and Heinz, it remained popular with commercial growers throughout the mid-twentieth century.
Home gardeners quickly "discovered" its fine juice and canning properties. Long after it was replaced by newer varieties in the commercial tomato industry, it remains a popular home garden variety to this day.
Fruit Color: Red
Special Groups: Market Growers
Special Groups: "Epic" Tomatoes
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Special Groups: Market Growers
Special Groups: "Epic" Tomatoes
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Sow seeds indoors (do not direct sow into the garden), using sterile seed starting mix, 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Plant 1/4" deep, water lightly but keep moist until emergence.
Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.
Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.
Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.
Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.
Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.
Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.
Informational Sources:
- "Tomato Varieties," by Gordon Morrison, Michigan State College A.E.S., Special Bulletin 290, April 1938.
- "Tomatoes by Stokes," Francis C. Stokes & Co., Moorestown, NJ, 1936.
- "Scientific Breeding Gives New Jersey the Rutgers Tomato," L. G. Schermerhorn, New Jersey State Horticultural Society News, November, 1934.
- "Tomatoes by Stokes," Francis C. Stokes & Co., Moorestown, NJ, 1950.
Customer Reviews:
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★★★★★ Grew Up On Rutgers
By Linda Pezek (West Newton) on May 17, 2025
By Linda Pezek (West Newton) on May 17, 2025
Rutgers were the only tomatoes my dad planted every year. No other tomato would do. I have been looking for plants for 20 years since my dad passed away and had no luck. Now I can start my seeds and plant my own for next year. I can't wait for my first bite of a Rutgers tomato in years. Thanks for the memories I know they will bring back!!!
★★★★★ FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS, RUTGERS IS STILL KING..
By TedTomatoHead (Wherever Tomatoes are in Season) on May 26, 2024
By TedTomatoHead (Wherever Tomatoes are in Season) on May 26, 2024
YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT A RUTGERS!!
★★★★☆ Rutgers Disease Resistance
By Michael Rundquist on August 21, 2013
By Michael Rundquist on August 21, 2013
Germination rate was good but vigor lacked compared to Mortgage Lifter and an unknown variety that an old friend gave me. Because of that I did not set the 'Rutgers' tomatoes out. I wish I did because both of the other tomato varieties got Septoria Leaf Spot and I have never had 'Rutgers' get anything.
