Description
| Seeds | 25 seeds $1.99, 100 seeds $4.75 |
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Mortgage Lifter(Red Large Slicing/Beefsteak Tomato)
Heritage: West Virginia, USA
The exact date of development for this variety has been debated between amateur gardeners William Estler in the early 1920’s, and “Radiator Charlie” Marshall C. Byles in the early 1930’s. The tomato was originally a pink version, which Charlie reportedly sold for $1 each to pay off the mortgage on his farm. Needless to say, we are somewhat disappointed our crop of Mortgage Lifters has not performed the same magic for us!! 🙂
Never mind, once we took a bite of one of these glossy red beauties all fantasies of financial grandeur were lost to their tantalizing taste. Tall plants produce a good crop of fruit 3” (7.5cm) in diameter. Plants can produce some interesting shaped fruits sometimes! Thin skin is dark red with exceptionally firm red flesh. Nice old-time tomato flavour, holds well for slicing. Able to produce in cooler, damp climates right up until frost. Shows disease resistance. Caution: Skin can be very delicate. Harvest as soon as they are close to ripe. They don’t age well on the vine. Indeterminate. Matures in 80-90 days. (310 seeds/g)
Largest Mortgage Lifter Tomato we grew: 14.1oz = almost 1 lb = 400g
Indeterminate plants are tall and sprawling continuing to grow and produce fruit until they are eventually killed by frost. This could be your preference if you are looking for a few tomatoes ripening at a time throughout the entire growing season. However, “a few” will vary with the variety you choose. It could mean three-four at a time for the larger varieties, or fifty-sixty at a time for the smaller crudités.
Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are heat loving plants that can adapt themselves to almost any growing zone providing there is ample sunshine and the season is long enough to allow the fruits to fully mature. Start seeds indoors in small pots 6 weeks before last frost date by planting them just below the surface of the soil. As the weather warms, harden-off the plants by setting them outside in the sun for a few hours each day. When the ground has fully warmed and the season has stabilized transplant to a sunny area of the garden. Remove all yellow leaves and any buds or flowers that have formed. This allows the plant to concentrate on developing a good deep root system in its new home. Plant deep burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. Plants should be at least 12-18” (30-45cm) apart to allow for ample circulation and room to grow. Most tomatoes do best when support is provided either by using poles, cages or trellising. The most suitable companion plants for tomatoes are; asparagus, chives, onions, parsley, marigolds and carrots. Do not plant near potatoes, corn, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Tomatoes usually germinate within 5-7days (75-95ºF/24-35ºC).
