Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Rutgers — Tomatoes | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Rutgers
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

75-85days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed and soil is at least 60°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Rich, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 24-36 inches
Height: 1-10 feet
Season: Year Round

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Classic bright red
Size: 6-8 oz
Shape: Round to slightly flattened globe
Flavour: Classic balanced tomato flavor with good acidity and sweetness

In the kitchen

Excellent for fresh eating, slicing, canning, sauces, and paste. Perfect all-purpose tomato.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, cutworms
Diseases: Early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, bacterial spot
Resistance: Good overall disease resistance for an heirloom variety

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor

MarigoldDeters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds

CarrotsLoosens soil for tomato roots, doesn't compete for space

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that eat aphids

ChivesRepels aphids and may improve tomato flavor

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

OreganoRepels pests and may enhance tomato growth

BorageAttracts pollinators and may repel hornworms

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and death

FennelInhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

BrassicasHeavy feeders that compete for nutrients, may stunt tomato growth

CornBoth attract corn earworm, creating concentrated pest problems

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 0.83
Fat (g): 0.63
Carbohydrate (g): 5.51
Fibre (g): 2.1
Vitamin C (mg): 27.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.98
Vitamin K (µg): 4.2
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.06
Folate (µg): 10
Calcium (mg): 11
Iron (mg): 0.33
Magnesium (mg): 11.9
Phosphorus (mg): 28
Potassium (mg): 260
Zinc (mg): 0.2

← PreviousYellow Pear Next →Patio Princess

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the tomatoes growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Rutgers

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Rutgers?

Similar varieties