Rutgers
Solanum lycopersicum 'Rutgers'
A legendary heirloom variety developed at Rutgers University in 1934 that became the standard for tomato flavor in America. This reliable producer delivers perfectly balanced, old-fashioned tomato taste in medium-sized fruits that are ideal for both fresh eating and processing. Rutgers represents the classic American tomato that many gardeners remember from their childhood.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Rutgers in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Rutgers · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store fully ripe Rutgers tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for best flavor, or refrigerate for up to one week if you must extend storage. The balanced acidity and firm flesh of Rutgers makes it exceptional for preservation.
For canning, Rutgers is ideal due to its perfect balance of acidity and flavor—use within 2 hours of harvest for best results. The variety's meaty texture holds up beautifully in water bath canning for whole tomatoes or sauce.
Freeze Rutgers by blanching for 1 minute, peeling, and storing whole in freezer bags for up to 8 months. The variety's robust flavor survives freezing better than many heirlooms. For drying, slice ½ inch thick and dehydrate—Rutgers develops an intense, concentrated flavor when dried that's perfect for winter cooking.
History & Origin
Rutgers was developed in 1934 by Professor Lyman Schermerhorn at Rutgers University in New Jersey, through a cross between J.T.D. (an early Campbell Soup Company variety) and Marglobe. The variety was specifically bred to combine excellent flavor with the reliability needed for both home gardens and commercial production.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Rutgers became the gold standard for tomato flavor in America, widely grown by commercial processors and home gardeners alike. Campbell Soup Company used Rutgers exclusively for their tomato soup for decades, cementing its reputation as the definitive American tomato flavor.
The variety fell out of commercial favor in the 1960s as growers shifted to hybrids bred for shipping and uniform appearance rather than flavor. However, Rutgers experienced a renaissance in the 1980s heirloom movement, with gardeners rediscovering the balanced, complex flavor that made it legendary. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable heirloom varieties, representing the classic tomato taste that defined American cuisine for a generation.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots, doesn't compete for space
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that eat aphids
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato flavor
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels pests and may enhance tomato growth
Borage
Attracts pollinators and may repel hornworms
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and death
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm, creating concentrated pest problems
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good overall disease resistance for an heirloom variety
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, cutworms
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, bacterial spot