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Growing New Yorker Slicer Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

Six to eight weeks prior to the last spring frost, begin your tomato seeds indoors in seed starting trays. Use a well-draining potting or germinating mix to start the seeds. Plant two or three seeds per cell and cover the seeds. Water them in gently to avoid washing the seeds away. Water regularly and use a clear plastic dome or plastic wrap to improve humidity and moisture around the tray. As soon as one of the seedlings emerges, move the tray to a bright window or provide grow lights positioned a few inches above the tray. The seedlings should receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. Tomatoes are very sensitive to insufficient light and will not grow as readily if the light is too weak or too short. If using, remove the greenhouse dome or plastic wrap once the seedlings have developed true leaves. Thin the seedlings to one per cell by removing the weaker seedlings when they have reached two inches tall. Fertilize once they have two sets of true leaves. Transplant the seedlings into larger, 4 or 6-inch pots once their root systems have developed beyond the starting cell’s capacity but a few weeks before they can be moved outdoors; using biodegradable pots will speed up transplantation into the garden.

Before planting them into your garden soil, the seedlings should be hardened off gradually to acclimate to the sunnier, windier conditions. Transplant the seedlings into the garden once the danger of frost has passed. Bury a calcium supplement in the soil beneath the seedlings. Bury most of the stems to encourage more root development. Leave at least one good set of leaves at the top. Remove the lower leaves that can’t reach the sunlight or might be buried and any suckers growing in between fruit-bearing branches. Fertilize with compost, worm castings, or another fertilizer of choice when planting into the garden. Prune the bush periodically throughout the season to remove suckers and bottom leaves. Fertilize once more in mid-season. It's important to water New Yorker tomato plants so that the soil stays evenly moist; this helps prevent blossom end rot. Limit disease spread by avoiding water or mud on the leaves. Applying mulch can help the soil stay evenly moist. Protect the plants from any cool weather; they are not cold-tolerant. Garden quilts or other protections can be used if cool weather below 50 F is expected.

Harvesting New Yorker Slicer Tomatoes

New Yorker produces for about a month. If the harvest buts up against a frost, pull up the plant and finish ripening the tomatoes off the vine indoors. They are best harvested off the vine when fully red and shiny but still firm. Gently twist the tomato off the calyx or snip it loose if it won’t come on its own.

About New Yorker Slicer Tomato Garden Seeds

New Yorker tomato plants are wonderful for various growing locations, including raised beds, large containers (minimum of 10 gallons), fields, greenhouses, and more. Ensure they get full sun and regular watering patterns. It is resistant to Verticillium Wilt. New Yorker plants produce determinate vines that bear 4- to 6-oz. round red fruit.

Slicing tomatoes are medium to large and round, ideal for fresh eating. The juicy fruits are higher in water content than paste tomatoes, making them premier for fresh applications. They can also be cooked down but require longer cooking time to reduce and thicken.

Tomatoes are native to the tropical regions of South and Central America and love warm weather and plentiful sunshine. However, since first being introduced to Europe in the 16th Century, different tomato cultivars have been developed and grown globally in numerous types of climates.

Developed as an early season variety around 1912 by Dr. Robinson at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. They are crack-resistant, good slicers with a classic tomato flavor. New Yorker tomatoes are one of the earliest slicing tomatoes available, allowing many in Northern climates with short growing seasons to enjoy fresh tomatoes as early as the 4th of July. They are delicious on salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"New Yorker Slicers are one of the best options for burgers and BLTs. Especially for northern climates, they are hard to beat!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

New Yorker Slicer Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 250 mg - Approximately 65 Seeds
• 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,875 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 7,500 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 30,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 120,000 Seeds

Non-GMO New Yorker Slicer Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.