The Best Tomatoes to Plant in New Jersey
In New Jersey, summertime is synonymous with ripe, red, luscious tomatoes. For the last several years, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University has been working to capture the incredible Jersey Tomato flavor, investigating the elements of tomato culture which contribute to superb tomato taste, as well as re-developing the trio of classic tomato varieties that grow best, and taste best, in New Jersey.
Moreton F1
Harris Seeds released its first hybrid tomato, the Moreton F1, in 1953. It quickly became known as the "July 4th Tomato" because it ripens so early in the season. Moreton is a soft-walled tomato--a characteristic admired by classic Jersey Tomato lovers but a disadvantage for commercial growers who need a tomato that will pack and ship well.
Since most tomato seed breeders cater to the commercial growing industry, the Moreton fell out of favor, and then was lost when Harris Seeds was sold and its seed stock sold in 1991. The Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) has re-discovered the missing parent stock and is once again offering Moreton F1 seeds for home and commercial growers. NJAES describes the Moreton as an excellent early-season eating variety well-suited to New Jersey growing conditions.
- In New Jersey, summertime is synonymous with ripe, red, luscious tomatoes.
- For the last several years, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University has been working to capture the incredible Jersey Tomato flavor, investigating the elements of tomato culture which contribute to superb tomato taste, as well as re-developing the trio of classic tomato varieties that grow best, and taste best, in New Jersey.
Ramapo
The Ramapo F1 hybrid tomato was developed by NJAES in 1968. While it is one of the tastiest, juiciest mid- to late-season tomatoes for home growing, it was dropped from most seed catalogs because it was not as productive by volume as some other varieties favored by commercial growers.
In testing, NJAES discovered that the Ramapo had superb old-fashioned tomato flavor, and is well suited to New Jersey home garden growing. At the time of writing, seeds are once again available through NJAES.
Rutgers
The Rutgers tomato, an open-pollination variety, was introduced in 1934 and became the standard variety for most commercial tomato canning operations for decades thereafter. Just as flavorful as ever, the Rutgers is no longer grown commercially as harvest and factory canning processes have changed and now require harder, less juicy types that ripen at more uniform times. For home growing, however, the Rutgers tomato remains a superb choice, especially under New Jersey's growing conditions.
- The Ramapo F1 hybrid tomato was developed by NJAES in 1968.
- In testing, NJAES discovered that the Ramapo had superb old-fashioned tomato flavor, and is well suited to New Jersey home garden growing.
Rutgers tomatoes are meaty, with small seed cavities, ripening from the inside out and yielding a sweet, low-acid juice and nice medium-sized slices for sandwiches and salads. Seeds for Rutgers tomatoes are available through many garden supply catalogs, and because it is an open-pollination type, seeds saved from year to year will continue to produce new crops of flavorful tomatoes.
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Writer Bio
A freelance writer since 1978 and attorney since 1981, Cindy Hill has won awards for articles on organic agriculture and wild foods, and has published widely in the areas of law, public policy, local foods and gardening. She holds a B.A. in political science from State University of New York and a Master of Environmental Law and a J.D. from Vermont Law School.
