I didn't grow them though I've received of their seeds. From what I've read there was a very low germination likely due to the seeds being mailed without padding--just a flat packet in a flat envelope. The seeds went through the wheels of the USPS high-speed mailing system and didn't due well for it.

Some folks did have germination but from what I've read that's rare.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Thread link

Campbell's uses a tomato variety called Rutger for their tomato soup. So its not some unknown brand of tomato and can be picked up almost anywhere that sells tomato seeds!

Here is a link that might be useful: Rutger Tomato Seeds

Do you have a link to that ufseeds?

I would think they use any of many varieties called Campbells ####.

Here are a couple of links I found:

http://www.campbellseeds.com/FactSheetlist.aspx

http://www.ffa.org/index.cfm?method=c_Media.HelpGrowYourSoup

ufseeds/Noah,

This isn't the first time you've violated GardenWeb's policy by using the message board to advertise/link your product. It's no big deal to me, though I do find it bad form personally, no offense; and I'm not a board cop (here), just giving you a friendly heads up before the real board cops give you a not so friendly one.

Also, us tomato dorks that hang out here have dozens of sites we trust for seed (some for free, thank you Trudi). We also trade among ourselves profusely (I have almost 100 varieties now and haven't spent $20, Lord help me); and many of us save our own seed to boot.

This may seem like a great fishing hole for your new endeavor, but it really isn't. You'd probably do better in cooking forums or anywhere where your audience isn't educated like this one. And I do wish you luck. Your site looks nice. You have well over a 100 established competitors online though. Which is why it's best for GW not to allow free advertising on message boards. They'd all be here slipping links into the conversation like you. The ulterior motive is the bad form. Are you here to talk maters with us or sell us seed we can pretty find for free? It's hard to tell if you're linking to something you profit from. Make sense?

To show I'm not really a jerk, a little help with some errors on your site. Cherokee Purple is not a cherry tomato. It's Rutgers, not Rutger. I see you're adding new seed rapidly. It's none of my business, and I'm all for free enterprise, but I do hope you take the time to truly educate yourself on your product rather than trying to become an order taker. Try not to plagiarize other companies' marketing blurbs too.

As for Campbell's soup, they started making it in the 1880s nearly half a century before the Rutgers tomato was released in 1934. The original Rutgers was indeterminate and not likely a major soup crop for Campbell's despite the company's involvement in it's development. Rutgers was the most popular tomato for canning and making juice for some years, years ago, but the soup tomatoes have likely always been meatier Roma types and currently are proprietary hybrids like those in Milehighgirl's link.

In the 40s Rutgers was 'improved' as a determinate, and then it became a major field crop worldwide, something that may have lasted about 3 decades, but not the duration of the 20th century as you'll read in many seed company blurbs. That's a bit of hype. With the advent of mechanized harvesters, Rutgers left the production fields and went into our nurseries and backyards. I dunno when, maybe Carolyn or someone else can date that event, but my guess is in the early 70s or perhaps sooner.

This coming spring I'm trialing indeterminate Rutgers (Fedco Seeds claims they have the original strain from 1934) against saved seed from a confirmed 'improved' determinate (A Tomatofest plant). I've already started the seed and will report my results when I have them. Rutgers seed packs are currently a dime a piece at Rite Aid here.

Bob,

Impressive. Truly.

XO
T

Well said Bob!