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Rutgers 250 Tomato Seeds - NEW

Rutgers 250 Tomato Seeds - NEW

Regular price $ 3.99 USD
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Rutgers 250 Tomato Seeds - A Classic Heirloom with Superior Flavor & Disease Resistance

An improved version of the classic Jersey tomato introduced for the Rutgers University 250th Anniversay. Originally developed by the Campbell Soup Co. in 1928 from a cross of Marglobe and J.T.D. However, over the years, the classic variety was lost to cross-breeding, and its delicate skin made it unsuitable for commercial harvesting. The strain deteriorated and Rutgers remade the original cross. Bolder flavor, thicker skin, and more crack resistant.

Released in 2016 for the university’s 250th anniversary, the Rutgers 250 tomato is widely considered an upgrade over the original 1934 variety. It offers improved disease resistance, a better blend of sweetness and acidity, and firmer fruit, all while recapturing the classic "old-time" flavor that the original Jersey tomato was famous for.
The original 1934 "Jersey tomato" became the backbone of the American canning industry and was used for decades in Campbell's Soup and Heinz Ketchup. 
To celebrate its milestone, researchers at Rutgers University teamed up with the Campbell Soup Company, utilizing their preserved original 1934 seeds, to re-engineer and perfect the heirloom. 
The Rutgers 250 improves on the old version by featuring:
  • Superior Flavor Balance: It brings back the traditional complex taste with the perfect bite of acidity and high sugars.
  • Enhanced Plant Hardiness: The plant was bred to have better disease resistance and more robust, reliable growth for home gardeners compared to the original.
  • Firmness and Quality: It boasts improved fruit quality and color, maintaining the sparkling red interior that lets you know it's ripe.

Experience the rich, old-time tomato taste with Rutgers VF Tomato Seeds, a beloved heirloom variety cherished for its bright red, 8-10 oz. round fruits. This open-pollinated gem matures in just 75 days, delivering a bountiful harvest of juicy, flavorful tomatoes perfect for fresh eating, sauces, and canning.

Why Choose Rutgers VF Tomato Seeds?

Unmatched Flavor: Savor the authentic, tangy-sweet taste of a true heirloom tomato, once the backbone of 70% of processed tomatoes in the U.S.

Disease-Resistant: The "VF" in Rutgers VF Tomato Seeds stands for improved resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, ensuring healthier plants and higher yields.

Determinate Growth: Compact 4-5 ft.  plants are ideal for gardens and containers, producing a concentrated harvest perfect for preserving.

Rich History & Reliable Performance

Developed in 1928 by Campbell Soup Co. and refined by Rutgers University in 1943, this New Jersey heirloom combines tradition with modern disease resistance. Each packet contains 10 non-GMO seeds, so you can grow tomatoes with confidence.

Plant your Rutgers VF Tomato Seeds today and enjoy a slice of tomato history in your garden!

  • Each packet contains 10 seeds
  • Color: Red
  • Shape: Round
  • Size: 8-10 oz.
  • Maturity: 75 days after transplant
  • Plant Size: 4-5 ft.
  • Plant Habit: Determinate
  • Solanum lycopersicum
  • Open-pollinated
  • Untreated/Non-GMO
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