Jersey Tomato

Back by Popular Demand!

The Ramapo Tomato

The Ramapo Tomato was developed at Rutgers NJAES in 1968 by Dr. Bernard Pollack. Many years ago it disappeared from seed catalogues. Seed companies were favoring varieties that produced higher yields for commercial growers. Despite its disappearance, Rutgers continued to receive many requests for this tasty tomato and produced small batches throughout the years. And now, the first commercial lot of organically grown genuine Ramapo F1 hybrid seed is available through an effort by Rutgers NJAES.

Ramapo Tomato Seed Order Form (108kpdf)

Please note: gardeners may experience a wide range of fruit size produced by ‘Ramapo’ tomato plants depending on weather, garden location, and cultural practices including fertilizer, irrigation, pruning, and pest management. ________________

What's New

Where to buy Ramapo transplants?

2008 Great Tomato Tasting
August 27, 2008

 

• May 2008 - Check here for where you can buy Ramapo transplants and tomatoes at New Jersey and PA farm markets and garden centers and Rutgers plant sales. The current list will be complete by late April - please check back then for more listings.
• Ramapo Tomato Seed Order Form (108kpdf) - the seeds are available year round.

Few foods muster as much discrimination in the American palate as the tomato. Bland tasting tomatoes have become such a mainstream commodity that they are universally referred to as "cardboard" or "plastic" tomatoes. On the other end of that spectrum, the one held in highest regard for its epic taste, has been the Jersey Tomato.

And while New Jersey farm markets continue to provide consumers with beautiful vine-ripened Jersey Tomatoes, an undercurrent of dialogue is taking place across the State: "The Jersey Tomatoes don't taste like they used to" or "What happened to that old-fashioned tangy flavor?".

Well, the researchers at Rutgers NJAES have heard the rumblings and have decided to do something about it. What happened to that old time flavor and what can we do to get it back? Find out here what our Jersey Tomato working group is doing to bring back that old time Jersey Tomato flavor - from field and taste testing the old tomato varieties, bringing back a favorite - the Rutgers-developed Ramapo Tomato, to soil fertility research and breeding of new open-pollinated varieties.

Articles

In Search of the Real Jersey Tomato, Part I (202k PDF)

In Search of the Real Jersey Tomato, Part II (183k PDF)

Rediscovering the Jersey Tomato: Tomato Tastings; Rutgers and Ramapo Tomatoes (458k PF)

Ramapo Tomatoes Back by Popular Demand

Real Jersey tomato makes triumphant return

Something to Chew on: A Tomato Refound (radio broadcast NPR)

Gardening Factsheets

Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors (97k PDF)

Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden (245k)

Blossom End Rot: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant (189k PDF)

Diagnosing and Controlliong Fungal Diseases in the Home Garden (278k PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ramapo Tomato THE Jersey Tomato?

What about the 'Rutgers' Tomato?

Can I save the seeds from my Ramapo Tomatoes?

Where can I buy Ramapo Tomato transplants in New Jersey?