Aunt Ruby's German Green

Described as terrific, sweet and spicy with a refreshing, almost fruity intensity balanced by a hint of acidity. As with every flavor note here, this is the recurring catalog and grower description, not a measured claim.

A family heirloom traced to Ruby Arnold of Greeneville, Tennessee, who died in 1997; popularized through the Seed Savers Exchange after being introduced in the 1993 SSE Yearbook.

• Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.
• Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.
• A moderate grow, no special tricks but worth steady attention.
• Prone to cracking and splitting after wet spells.
• One of our picks for the cold, short-season gardens of New England.

Sold out, or after a change? The closest alternatives, and how they differ.

Green Zebrabut smaller and tarter, where this is a large sweet beefsteak

• Sow True Seed
• Hudson Valley Seed Company

• When Are Tomatoes Ripe? A Variety-by-Variety Guide
• Heirloom vs Hybrid Tomatoes
• Slicer vs Beefsteak Tomatoes

Is Aunt Ruby's German Green determinate or indeterminate?

Aunt Ruby's German Green is an indeterminate variety. Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.

How long does Aunt Ruby's German Green take to ripen?

Aunt Ruby's German Green ripens in about 80 days from transplant. Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.

Is Aunt Ruby's German Green an heirloom or a hybrid?

Aunt Ruby's German Green is an heirloom, an open-pollinated variety with a documented history, so seed saved from it comes back true to type.

What can I grow instead of Aunt Ruby's German Green?

A close swap is Green Zebra, but smaller and tarter, where this is a large sweet beefsteak.