Aunt Ruby's German Green

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Aunt Ruby's German Green to a garden.

Aunt Ruby’s German Green opens with a luminous, smoky-sweet fragrance and a captivating green-gold blush that deepens as the fruit ripens.

The flesh is richly balanced—tender, juicy, and pleasantly firm—with a classic slicing tomato bite that shines in bold salads and vibrant sauces. Grow this 90-day standout for its distinctive color and dependable performance, then savor the way each slice reveals a beautifully marbled, green-tinged interior.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Aunt Ruby's German Green

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Aunt Ruby's German Green Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	Jul 20th	Oct 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Oct 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Oct 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Oct 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 27th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Sep 18th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Sep 13th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Sep 3rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Aug 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jul 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This heirloom slices with a tender-yet-firm structure, so you get juicy drama without the mush. The smoky-sweet, tang-forward personality loves peppery seasonings and quick, hot treatment that keeps its green-gold marbling vivid.

Best Uses

thick slices on peppery greens where the firm interior won’t collapse
charred or roasted tomato applications—this variety holds shape while leaning smoky
green-tinged salsa or relish where juice helps it cling to chips and tacos
lively, chunked pan sauces (quick sauté) to keep the marbled interior intact

Flavor Profile

smoky-sweet aroma with a green, savory edge tender, juicy flesh with a pleasantly firm bite classic slicing-tomato tang that stays bright in the mouth

Kitchen Pairings

black pepper balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella jalapeño extra-virgin olive oil garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage aphids or powdery mildew on Aunt Ruby’s German Green during warm, humid weather?

Check plants twice a week (especially the undersides of leaves) for clusters of soft aphids; spray with insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested leaves to slow buildup. If powdery mildew appears (white powdery patches on older leaves), keep airflow high by spacing plants and water at the soil line (not on leaves), then remove badly affected foliage. Avoid overhead watering and don’t let leaves stay wet, which powdery mildew and its spread rely on.

How often should I water Aunt Ruby’s German Green during the main 60–90 day growing phase?

During the main growth period, water to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch per week total from rainfall plus irrigation, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply when the soil surface starts to dry, and stop once heads/leaves are developing because constantly wet soil can lead to leaf issues and reduced quality. Aim for steady moisture, not alternating dry-out and flooding.

What are the signs Aunt Ruby’s German Green is ready to harvest at about 90 days?

Harvest when plants reach the full size for your bed row and the outer leaves are thick, firm, and deep green (typically around day 90). Pick outer leaves first if you want continued growth, or harvest the whole plant when the rosette/leaves look fully developed and no longer feel tender. If leaves start yellowing heavily or the plant bolts (flower stalk forms), harvest immediately for best texture.