How to Grow Jersey Queen Tomato

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Jersey Queen Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Jersey Queen'

vegetable

Jersey Queen is a determinate heirloom tomato variety developed in New Jersey, known for its robust disease resistance and reliable production of medium-sized, flavorful red fruits. It was bred specifically to thrive in humid, disease-prone environments and remains popular among home gardeners for its vigor and taste. This classic variety produces compact plants ideal for containers and small spaces.

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

Plant Jersey Queen Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

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

≈ 70 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours recommended for best flavor

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to minimize foliage wetness and disease pressure. Reduce watering slightly as fruits ripen.

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Start seeds 0.25 inches deep indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant seedlings 0.5-1 inch deeper than soil level to encourage root development.

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) Calcium (lime or gypsum to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9; particularly suited to cooler zones and humid regions

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 appearing. Fragile but fast-growing.

Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain 70-75°F, keep soil moist but not soggy, avoid damping off with good air circulation.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Bushy, compact plant (determinate) developing multiple stems and dark green foliage. No flowers yet.

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Plant after last frost. Support with cages or stakes early. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters along the stems. Determinate variety flowers prolifically.

Ensure consistent watering and pollination (tap flowers gently for self-pollination). Avoid over-watering, which promotes foliage at expense of fruit. Side-dress with calcium.

Fruiting

4-6 weeks

Small green fruits develop rapidly. Plants transition to red color as maturation progresses.

Maintain consistent watering (1-2 inches per week). Apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Provide steady fertilizer (lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus/potassium).

Harvest

2-4 weeks of active harvesting

Fruits reach full mature red color and develop characteristic tomato scent. Determinate variety concentrates ripening.

Harvest when fully red and slightly soft. Jersey Queen produces main crop all at once due to determinate nature. Pick ripe fruits to encourage further production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Onion Garlic Marigold Nasturtium Borage

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Potatoes Corn

Common Pests

Remove lower infected foliage, improve air circulation, apply copper fungicide, mulch to prevent soil splash, avoid overhead watering
Apply sulfur or copper-based fungicides, remove infected foliage immediately, avoid wetting foliage, ensure good spacing for airflow
Remove affected leaves, apply fungicides, maintain dry foliage, sanitize tools, mulch to prevent soil splash
Hand-pick caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, monitor regularly
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, release beneficial insects, use reflective mulch, vacuum adults from foliage
Increase humidity, spray with water mist, apply neem oil or sulfur, introduce predatory mites

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Cooking

Culinary

Jersey Queen's balanced flavor profile—neither overly acidic nor bland—makes it excellent for eating fresh, slicing for salads, and cooking into sauces. The medium size and firm texture hold up well in diverse culinary applications. [source]

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Canning & Preserving

Culinary

The determinate growth habit concentrates ripening, making Jersey Queen ideal for simultaneous harvesting and canning. High acidity (below pH 4.6) makes it safe for water bath canning. [source]

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Antioxidant & Heart Health

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties linked to reduced heart disease risk and cancer prevention. Jersey Queen, like other red tomatoes, contains significant lycopene concentrations. [source]

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Seed Saving & Heirloom Preservation

Craft

As a determinate heirloom variety, Jersey Queen is an excellent candidate for seed saving. It has been grown continuously since its New Jersey origin and represents an important part of American tomato heritage. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The abundant yellow flowers attract and support native bees and beneficial insects during the growing season, contributing to ecosystem health and garden pollination. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Jersey Queen fruits are best harvested when fully red and slightly soft to the touch, typically 2-3 days after reaching full color. As a determinate variety, it ripens most of its fruit within a 2-4 week window, making it excellent for canning or sauce production. Pick ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine rather than harvesting at the 'breaker stage.' Refrigerate only after fruits lose their peak flavor, as cold temperatures diminish tomato taste.

Fun Facts

🌱 Jersey Queen was developed by Rutgers University in the 1940s specifically for the humid, disease-prone climate of New Jersey and nearby regions, making it one of the first modern disease-resistant heirloom tomatoes.
🌱 As a determinate variety, Jersey Queen concentrates its entire fruit production into a 2-4 week harvest window—perfect for making large batches of sauce or preserves at once, unlike indeterminate varieties that produce continuously throughout the season.
🌱 The variety's name reflects its origin and heritage; it remains popular among historic garden preservation societies and is listed in the Seed Savers Exchange as an important North American heirloom.

Gardening Terms

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

Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Mulch pH Pollination Transplant True Leaves

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