Rutgers

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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Sun-warmed, richly meaty Rutgers tomatoes bring a classic beefsteak presence to the garden—deep, true red with a succulent, seed-filled interior and a pleasantly firm bite.

Their flavor leans balanced and savory, with a gentle sweetness that shines whether you’re building bold sauces or letting slices stand on their own. Grow Rutgers for dependable midsummer harvests and a hearty, kitchen-ready abundance that rewards attentive watering and steady sun.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

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Rutgers 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	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – 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	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Rutgers earns its keep with a sturdy, meaty flesh-to-juice ratio and a balanced sweet-savory profile—ideal when you want the tomato to stay put on the fork, not dissolve. It reduces into a thick, clingy sauce with real tomato texture, making it a kitchen workhorse for both stove-top fast work and long simmer.

Best Uses

thick slice tomatoes for hot sandwiches where they need backbone
quick pan sauces—reduce to a clingy, spoonable gloss
classic roasted tomato halves for caramelized edges without turning watery
slow-simmered paste-style sauce for body and color

Flavor Profile

meaty, succulent interior with lots of gel and seeds balanced, savory-tomato sweetness firm slice bite that holds up instead of collapsing clean, mildly acidic finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil black pepper mozzarella white beans anchovies

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) like Rutgers, and how can I treat them?

Watch for early blight and Septoria leaf spot, which show up as dark spots on older leaves and can spread quickly in wet conditions. Remove and discard the worst affected leaves, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water at the soil level (not the foliage). If problems persist, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes according to the product directions and restart after the recommended interval.

How often should I water Rutgers tomatoes during their main growing phase?

During active fruiting, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–3 times per week rather than small daily sips to keep moisture steady and reduce blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. If the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dries out, it’s time for a deep watering.

How do I know when Rutgers tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety and feel firm but slightly springy when gently squeezed. If you see a green shoulder at the stem end, give them a few more days—tomatoes finish color after the first blush. For best flavor, pick in the cooler part of the day and leave the fruit on the plant until it reaches its final red stage.