New Yorker Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Enjoy homegrown tomato slices without waiting for a late-season beefsteak. New Yorker pairs an early harvest with meaty, scarlet-red fruit and classic sweet-tart tomato flavor. Its compact determinate habit makes it a practical choice for northern gardens, shorter growing seasons, raised beds, and roomy containers.

Developed by Dr. Robinson at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York, this open-pollinated heirloom brings useful slicing and kitchen versatility to a manageable bush. Expect approximately 66 days from transplant under suitable conditions, with a concentrated main crop rather than season-long indeterminate growth.

Why Grow New Yorker?

• Early red slicers: Round to slightly flattened fruits commonly weigh 4–6 ounces, a convenient size for sandwiches and salads.
• Classic tomato flavor: Meaty, juicy flesh balances sweetness with a pleasant acidic tang.
• Compact determinate growth: Bushy regular-leaf plants generally reach approximately 18–36 inches tall; give the canopy room and support.
• Short-season appeal: Bred for earlier production and noted for fruit-setting in cooler conditions, while remaining frost-tender.
• Useful main-crop harvest: A concentrated crop suits fresh meals and batches of sauce.
• Open-pollinated heirloom: Seed can be saved from healthy, mature fruit with appropriate isolation and selection.

In the Kitchen

Layer fresh slices on a sandwich, chop into a garden salad, or serve simply with basil and a little salt. The meaty fruit also works well for cooked sauces and preserving. For home canning, always follow a current tested recipe, including its required acidification and processing instructions.

Planting and Growing

Start seeds indoors approximately 6–8 weeks before your expected transplant date. Sow ¼ inch deep in a well-drained seed-starting mix, keep evenly moist, and provide strong light after germination. Pot seedlings on as needed and harden off gradually before planting outdoors after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed.

Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 24–36 inches between plants, adjusting for support and local growing conditions. Install a sturdy cage or short stake at planting time, keeping support legs securely anchored beside the root zone. For square foot gardening, allow 1 plant per 4 sq ft (support recommended), with extra room if the canopy needs it.

Water deeply and consistently at soil level, mulch once the soil is warm, and feed according to your fertilizer label. Avoid severe single-stem pruning on this determinate variety. Although suited to cooler short-season gardens, New Yorker is not frost-hardy. Published supplier descriptions report crack resistance and Verticillium wilt resistance; neither means immunity, and steady moisture and good garden hygiene still matter.

Harvest Details

Maturity: Approximately 66 days from transplant; timing varies with weather and growing conditions.
Fruit: Round to slightly flattened, red, commonly 4–6 ounces.
Flavor: Classic sweet-tart tomato flavor with meaty, juicy flesh.
Growth habit: Compact determinate bush with regular leaves; approximately 18–36 inches tall.
Harvest pattern: Concentrated main crop; duration varies with conditions.
Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum.
Seed type: Open-pollinated heirloom, non-GMO.
Seeds per packet: Approximately 25+ or 50+ seeds, according to the packet option selected.

Pick when the fruit develops full red color and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Harvest regularly as the main crop ripens, and handle gently to avoid bruising.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for your garden.