Rutgers tomato seeds grow into indeterminate plants reaching 49–60 in, bearing red fruit about 5–8 oz. This slicing tomato is especially suited to fresh slicing, juice, sauce, and canning with a tested recipe. Maturity is 70-79 Days from transplanting. About Rutgers Rutgers is a slicing tomato grown as Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants have an indeterminate habit and reach 49–60 in; support is listed as stake. The principal mature or market color is Red, with fruit described as about 5–8 oz. Reproductive classification: Open-Pollinated (OP). Maturity: 70-79 Days. Names associated with this variety include Tomato, Tomato Seeds - Indeterminate - Rutgers Tomato Slicing. Scientific name:Solanum lycopersicum L. Life cycle:Annual Planting season:Spring Growth habit:Indeterminate Plant height:49–60 in Sunlight:Full sun Seed depth:1/8 in Germination:6–12 Days at 75–90 °F Spacing:30 in between plants; 36 in between rows Soil:Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 Water:Moderate Support:Stake Reproductive type:Open-Pollinated (OP) Fruit:Red; About 5–8 oz History and seedkeeping context The Rutgers tomato was released in 1934 after a 1928 cross made by the Campbell Soup Company between JTD and Marglobe, followed by six years of selection and testing at Rutgers. It became important to New Jersey processing and fresh-market production because its fruit quality and field performance suited the period's growers and processors. Rutgers also explains that maintenance of the original university seed line ended after 1951 and that seed sold later under the Rutgers name may represent derivative selections. This page therefore identifies the current packet as a maintained Rutgers strain without claiming that it is genetically identical to the original 1934 release. Fruit, flavor, and kitchen use Rutgers is best for fresh slicing, juice, sauce, and canning with a tested recipe. The expected flavor is classic sweet-tart tomato flavor with juicy flesh and balanced acidity. Fruit is described as red and about 5–8 oz. Use a tested current recipe for home canning; cultivar name alone does not establish safe acidity. Rutgers is especially useful for fresh slicing, juice, sauce, and canning with a tested recipe. Flavor and eating quality are described as classic sweet-tart tomato flavor with juicy flesh and balanced acidity. For home canning, use a tested current recipe; cultivar name, color, or perceived sweetness does not establish safe acidity. How to grow Rutgers Start Rutgers indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow 1/8 in deep in a warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix; expect 6–12 Days near 75–90 °F. Give seedlings strong light, move them into larger cells before they become root-bound, and harden them gradually before planting outside after frost danger. Plant in full sun with loamy soil near pH 6.0–6.5. Space plants 30 in apart and rows 36 in apart. Maintain moderate moisture, mulch after the soil warms, and keep foliage off wet soil where possible. Set up stake at transplanting. The indeterminate plant reaches 49–60 in. Season care • Give Rutgers strong light from emergence so seedlings remain stocky rather than stretched. • Install stake when transplanting; adding support after vines are large can damage roots and stems. • Water at the soil line and maintain even moisture to reduce cracking, blossom-end rot risk, and stress-related fruit problems. • Harvest when the fruit has reached its cultivar-specific color and gives slightly to gentle pressure; color alone can be misleading on green, purple, or striped varieties. • Use 70-79 Days as a planning range rather than a guaranteed calendar date; weather and transplant stress can shift first harvest. Harvest and maturity 70-79 Days from transplanting under suitable conditions. Harvest when the cultivar-specific color has developed and the fruit gives slightly to gentle pressure; green-ripe, striped, purple, and dark cultivars require more than a simple red-color test. Saving seed Tomatoes are primarily self-pollinating, but occasional crossing can occur. To maintain Rutgers, save seed from several healthy true-to-type plants and bag unopened flower clusters when extra isolation is needed. Allow labeled fruit to ripen fully, squeeze the seed and gel into a container, ferment briefly until the gel releases, rinse clean, and dry the seed in a thin labeled layer. Store the finished lot cool and dry with the year, source, plant count, and isolation notes. Common questions When is Rutgers ready? Plan around 70-79 Days. The listed range is a planning guide, and weather, transplant stress, and harvest stage can shift the actual date. How long does germination take? Expect 6–12 Days near 75–90 °F. Cooler media, excess water, old seed, or uneven moisture can delay emergence. How large does it grow? Expect about 49–60 in. Growth habit: Indeterminate. Support: Stake. How is it used? Fresh slicing, juice, sauce, and canning with a tested recipe Can I save seed? Tomatoes are primarily self-pollinating, but occasional crossing can occur.
