Rutgers 250

Tomato

85d to harvest

Sink your senses into Rutgers 250’s rich, old-summer tomato fragrance and a deep, rosy-red flesh that feels luxuriously dense. This beefsteak paste tomato delivers a meaty, low-seed interior with a balanced, pleasantly tangy sweetness—ideal for turning into thick, velvety sauces and robust preserves, or for enjoying at peak ripeness on the vine. Grow it for the satisfying weight of its fruits and the steady, garden-to-table performance that makes every harvest feel like a centerpiece.

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 2nd
Last Frost	Apr 20th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 15th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 20th

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)	8

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and how can I prevent it in my garden?

One of the most frequent problems is early blight (Alternaria), which causes dark, concentric ring spots on lower leaves and can reduce yields fast. Water at the base and avoid wetting foliage, remove the worst affected lower leaves early, and rotate out of Solanaceae beds so the fungus doesn’t build up in the soil. If it’s been humid or the plants already show spots, use an appropriate label-following fungicide and keep picking off infected leaves during the season.

How often should I water Rutgers 250 tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) during the main growing phase?

During flowering through fruit set, keep soil evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and rainfall. In practice, water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than a little every day, and aim for moisture consistency to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. If the top few inches of soil dry out, water; if it stays soggy, slow down to avoid root stress.

How do I know when Rutgers 250 tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety (red and evenly colored for most Rutgers types) and have a slight give when gently squeezed. Fruits should reach their mature size before fully softening; for best flavor, pick at peak color rather than letting them over-ripen on the vine. If you see cracking, harvest those fruits immediately to reduce further splitting and disease entry.