← Plant Guides

How to Grow Whatfield Ruby

Wikimedia Commons

Whatfield Ruby

Lycopersicon esculentum 'Whatfield Ruby'

vegetable

Whatfield Ruby is a heritage beefsteak tomato variety known for its deep crimson-red color and rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate heirloom produces large, meaty fruits that are excellent for slicing and have a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The plant is vigorous and prolific, making it a favorite among tomato enthusiasts and home gardeners.

When should you plant Whatfield Ruby in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Whatfield Ruby timeline →

Example Whatfield Ruby timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Whatfield Ruby

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Whatfield Ruby

    Around Jul 1

    ≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Whatfield Ruby dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, minimum 8 hours daily (10+ hours preferred for optimal fruit flavor)
💧
Water: Consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid fungal diseases. Avoid overhead watering. Increase frequency during fruiting and hot weather.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: Start seeds 0.25 inches deep; transplant when 6-8 inches tall, burying stem up to first true leaves

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Bone meal for calcium Balanced fertilizer (5-5-5 or 10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zone 4 with season extension

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

Sign up free to see if Whatfield Ruby grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Whatfield Ruby timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging, delicate and tender

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (14-16 hours) and maintain 70-75°F. Begin fertilizing lightly after true leaves appear.

2

Vegetative/Early Growth

3-4 weeks

Robust growth with expanding foliage, multiple branches developing, 12+ inches tall

Transplant outdoors after last frost. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows. Install sturdy stakes or cages early. Remove suckers (side shoots) to direct energy to main stems.

3

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Yellow flower clusters (inflorescences) appear on branches; plant is 24-36+ inches tall with extensive foliage

Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and flower drop. Provide balanced fertilizer, reducing nitrogen if plant is too vegetative. Ensure adequate air circulation.

4

Fruit Development & Ripening

6-8 weeks

Green fruit clusters enlarge and gradually shift to light green, then yellow, then deep crimson-red

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply potassium and phosphorus for flavor development. Thin fruit clusters to 4-5 per branch for larger fruit. Water consistently and mulch to regulate soil moisture.

5

Harvest

Ongoing until frost

Fruits are fully colored deep crimson-red, slightly soft to gentle squeeze, glossy skin

Harvest when fully colored for best flavor; can pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) if needed for ripening indoors. Expect fruit production until frost.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Nasturtium Borage Thyme Garlic Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Kohlrabi Other tomato plants (to reduce disease spread)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestation is severe

  • Spray with insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; introduce parasitic wasps; ensure good air circulation

  • Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide spray if severe; apply neem oil

  • Remove infected lower leaves; mulch to prevent soil splash; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering

  • Remove infected foliage; apply sulfur or copper-based fungicides; space plants for airflow; water at soil level only

  • Remove and destroy affected leaves; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide spray; ensure good air circulation

Uses

🍳

Slicing & Fresh Eating

Culinary

Whatfield Ruby's large, meaty fruits are ideal for slicing and featuring in fresh salads, sandwiches, and plate presentations. The complex, rich flavor with good acidity-to-sugar balance makes it a standout for eating fresh and uncooked. [source]

🍳

Sauce & Cooking

Culinary

The substantial flesh and balanced flavor profile make Whatfield Ruby excellent for cooking into sauces, soups, and cooked tomato dishes. The meaty texture holds well during cooking without becoming watery. [source]

🏠

Seed Saving

Household

As a true-breeding heirloom variety, Whatfield Ruby produces viable seeds that can be collected, dried, and replanted to maintain the variety year after year. Seed saving is straightforward: scoop seeds and juice into a container, ferment 2-3 days, rinse, dry completely. [source]

🍳

Canning & Preservation

Culinary

The low-moisture, high-acid content of Whatfield Ruby makes it well-suited for canning as whole tomatoes, paste, or sauce. Proper processing ensures safe long-term storage of home-canned products. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The open-pollinated tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem and supporting broader pollinator populations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully colored (deep crimson-red) and slightly soft to gentle pressure, typically 75-85 days after transplanting. Harvest in early morning for best flavor. Twist gently or use shears to avoid damaging vines. For unripe fruit that has turned light pink or breaker stage, harvest and ripen indoors at 68-72°F in a paper bag away from direct sunlight. Pick before the first hard frost.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Whatfield Ruby is a heritage heirloom variety with roots in the English tomato growing tradition, representing decades of seed-saving and selection by dedicated gardeners.
  • 🌱 The indeterminate growth habit means Whatfield Ruby will continue producing fruit throughout the growing season until frost, often yielding 20-30+ large fruits per plant.
  • 🌱 Tomatoes are technically berries and are botanically classified as fruits, though culinary tradition and U.S. Supreme Court rulings (1893) classify them as vegetables for commercial purposes.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch pH Sucker Transplant True Leaves
Shop Whatfield Ruby plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Whatfield Ruby planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Whatfield Ruby seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Whatfield Ruby timeline →