How to Grow Ramapo Tomato
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Ramapo Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Ramapo'
vegetableRamapo is a hybrid indeterminate tomato variety known for its large, deep red fruits and rich, complex flavor profile. Developed by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, it is highly valued for both fresh eating and sauce making. The plants are vigorous growers that produce consistently throughout the season.
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Example Ramapo Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ramapo Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Ramapo Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ramapo Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with appropriate timing and care
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Get my Ramapo Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate and pale green
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (14+ hours daily under grow lights). Maintain 70-75°F temperature. Avoid damping off with good air circulation.
Vegetative/Transplant
2-3 weeksSturdy plants 6-12 inches tall with 6-8 true leaves; developing strong root system
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions (harden off) over 7-10 days. Plant after last frost date. Bury deep, removing lower leaves. Stake or cage immediately.
Flowering
4-6 weeksPlants 18-36 inches tall with small yellow flowers appearing in clusters; continuous new flower production
Maintain consistent watering and nutrition. Support with stakes, cages, or strings. Remove suckers on indeterminate varieties if desired for larger fruit. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksMarble-sized green fruits developing on lower flower clusters; plants 3-6+ feet tall; continuous flowering at top
Maintain even watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Prune lower leaves once fruits appear to improve air circulation. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer.
Maturation & Harvest
Until first frost or plant declineFruits ripen from green to deep red; plants heavily laden with fruit at various stages
Continue consistent watering and support. Pick fruits at first blush of red for storage ripening or fully red for immediate use. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning or evening; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); attract parasitic wasps with companion planting
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; encourage beneficial insects
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Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water; use neem oil or sulfur sprays
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide
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Remove infected plant parts; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicides containing chlorothalonil or mancozeb
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Improve air circulation; remove infected leaves; apply copper fungicide; stake and prune for better ventilation
Uses
Fresh slicing and sauces
CulinaryRamapo's large size (6-8 oz) and rich flavor make it excellent for fresh eating, slicing for sandwiches, and preparing homemade tomato sauce, soup, and paste. The balanced acid-sugar profile provides excellent taste for both raw and cooked applications. [source]
Preserving and canning
CulinaryThe firm flesh and good yield make Ramapo well-suited for canning, freezing, and other preservation methods. Its acidity levels are appropriate for water-bath canning salsa and sauce. [source]
Ornamental garden element
HouseholdAs an indeterminate vine-type tomato, Ramapo creates an attractive, productive focal point in vegetable gardens when properly trellised, with continuous flowering and fruiting providing visual interest throughout the season. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects that support pollination and pest control in the garden. Growing Ramapo supports a healthy garden ecosystem. [source]
Nutritional health benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with cardiovascular and cancer-preventive benefits. Fresh Ramapo tomatoes provide this phytonutrient in abundance. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Ramapo tomatoes are ready to harvest 70-80 days after transplanting when fully red and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Harvest in morning after dew dries. For storage, pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of red) and ripen indoors. Twist gently and pull, or use pruners. Continue harvesting regularly to encourage production throughout season. Plants will fruit until first frost; pick all remaining fruit before freezing temperatures.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ramapo was developed by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1968; it was specifically bred for the northeastern United States and remains popular among heirloom and hybrid gardeners.
- 🌱 The name 'Ramapo' comes from the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey and New York, honoring the plant's regional heritage.
- 🌱 Ramapo is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues to grow, flower, and fruit throughout the season until frost, sometimes reaching 6+ feet tall and producing hundreds of fruits in ideal conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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