How to Grow Jersey Princess Tomato

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Jersey Princess Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Jersey Princess'

vegetable

Jersey Princess is a determinate slicing tomato variety bred at Rutgers University, known for its disease resistance and reliable production in humid climates. It produces medium-sized, flavorful red fruits with excellent crack resistance and a balanced sweet-tart taste. This variety is particularly valued for its ability to thrive in challenging growing conditions.

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Example Jersey Princess Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Jersey Princess Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Jersey Princess Tomato
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jersey Princess Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours ideal)

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week through drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to minimize foliar diseases.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplant deeply (bury stem up to first true leaves)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) Calcium (gypsum or crushed eggshells for blossom end rot prevention) Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, with excellent performance in humid zones 5-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and first true leaves emerging; leggy growth is common indoors.

Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily or place under grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin to strongest seedlings.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple true leaves, branching structure becomes visible, stems thicken and harden off.

Gradually introduce outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant deeply (burying lower stem) to encourage root development. Space 24 inches apart. Provide sturdy support or cage.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant continues vegetative growth while setting fruit begins.

Maintain consistent watering and moderate nitrogen levels. Avoid over-fertilizing. Prune lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure.

Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Small green fruits develop and gradually enlarge; multiple trusses mature simultaneously. Plant reaches full height (determinate habit).

Continue consistent watering to prevent cracking. Maintain good air circulation through pruning. Provide calcium supplementation if needed. Support heavily laden branches with cages or ties.

Harvest

4-6 weeks

Fruits ripen to full red color over several weeks; determinate nature means most fruit matures within 2-3 week window.

Pick fruits at full color for best flavor. Jersey Princess can be picked at breaker stage (first blush of color) for last harvests to ripen indoors. All ripening typically completes within 4-6 weeks.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Onion Marigold Nasturtium Borage Leaf lettuce

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Kohlrabi Dill Potatoes (same family, shared pests and diseases)

Common Pests

Hand-pick larvae daily; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if severe; inspect underside of leaves
Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; use drip irrigation; apply copper fungicide; resistant variety helps significantly
Mulch to prevent soil splash; remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; consider preventive spraying in humid climates
Choose resistant varieties (Jersey Princess has good resistance); practice crop rotation; disinfect tools; remove infected plants immediately
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; remove heavily infested leaves

Uses

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Fresh Slicing and Cooking

Culinary

Jersey Princess produces medium-sized fruits ideal for slicing in sandwiches, salads, and fresh dishes. The balanced flavor and firm texture also make it suitable for cooking in sauces, salsas, and stews. [source]

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Nutritional and Antioxidant Benefits

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate, supporting heart health and immune function. Cooking tomatoes increases bioavailability of lycopene. [source]

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Home Preservation and Canning

Household

Jersey Princess fruits are suitable for canning, freezing, and making tomato paste or sauce, thanks to their disease-resistant, reliable harvests and solid flesh content. [source]

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Seed Saving

Craft

As a hybrid variety, Jersey Princess seeds may not produce identical offspring, but dedicated gardeners can save and experiment with seeds for future seasons. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting broader garden ecosystem health while improving fruit set. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully red, typically 70-80 days after transplanting. Harvest in the morning for best flavor. Jersey Princess is determinate, meaning most fruit ripens within a narrow 2-3 week window—monitor carefully to catch peak harvest. Gently twist and lift fruit, or use pruners to avoid damaging the plant. For last harvests, pick at breaker stage (first color blush) and ripen indoors at room temperature. Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate until fully ripe, as cold temperatures diminish flavor.

Fun Facts

🌱 Jersey Princess was developed by Rutgers University's agricultural program specifically for home and commercial growers in humid eastern climates, with enhanced resistance to Septoria and Fusarium diseases.
🌱 The determinate (bush) growth habit of Jersey Princess means all fruit typically ripens within a concentrated 2-3 week period, making it ideal for succession planting or simultaneous preservation projects.
🌱 The Rutgers breeding program became legendary for tomato research, and Jersey Princess remains one of their most celebrated releases, proving that disease-resistant varieties need not sacrifice flavor.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Transplant True Leaves

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