TOMATO Seeds, Rutgers

Rutgers (Solanum lycopersicum) is a classic American heirloom tomato producing round, deep-red, well-balanced fruit on compact, productive plants. Developed in the 1930s, it remains a reliable all-purpose tomato for slicing, cooking, and canning.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum 'Rutgers'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated tomato
• Growth habit: determinate to semi-determinate
• Days to maturity: about 70 to 80 days from transplant
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 24 to 36 inches apart
• Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seed

Best for

• Slicing for sandwiches and salads
• Canning and preserving
• Sauces and soups
• Juicing
• All-purpose garden growing

How to grow

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant after the soil warms, planting deep. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and water consistently to limit cracking and blossom-end rot. Its compact, semi-determinate habit suits smaller spaces, though a cage or stake still helps support the fruit.

Flavor profile

Rich and well-balanced with the classic blend of sweetness and acidity.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms specializes in non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds chosen for flavor and reliability, so you can grow proven varieties and save seed season after season.

Sold by 99Heirlooms.com, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.