Mortgage Lifter Tomato Care - Growing Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes

Mortgage Lifter tomato plants require 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) of rain per week. Water when weekly rainfall is not sufficient. For the richest flavor, pick tomatoes when they are fully ripe.

1. Are Mortgage Lifter tomatoes any good?
2. How did the Mortgage Lifter Tomato get its name?
3. How much does it cost to grow an acre of tomatoes?
4. What can I do with mortgage lifter tomatoes?
5. Is Mortgage Lifter an heirloom tomato?
6. Are German Johnson tomatoes determinate or indeterminate?
7. How do German Johnson tomatoes grow?
8. Can You Can Big Boy tomatoes?
9. What is the secret to growing tomatoes?
10. Is it better to stake or cage tomatoes?
11. What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?

Are Mortgage Lifter tomatoes any good?

'Mortgage Lifter' is a fairly disease-resistant (VFN) Beefsteak type tomato. It is indeterminate and bears one to two pound fruit (Burpee says up to 4 pounds!). It is a very productive tomato, often described as pink or red, and is very meaty with few seeds and great tomato flavor.

How did the Mortgage Lifter Tomato get its name?

Byles' and Estler's cultivars are only the most well-known of a number of Great Depression-era tomato breeds named "Mortgage Lifter". These were developed for the nursery plant market, and named after their presumably high saleability, which allowed small-scale plant nurseries and farmers to recover from debt.

How much does it cost to grow an acre of tomatoes?

Production Costs

The cost of growing tomatoes varies greatly, depending on the types of tomatoes being grown, methods of staking, fertilizing and cost of labor. For a growing season, you can expect that 200 to 400 hours of labor will be needed for each acre, which can cost $2,000.

What can I do with mortgage lifter tomatoes?

When growing Mortgage Lifter, stakes or cages can be used to support the long vines. This will encourage the plant to produce larger fruit and make harvesting tomatoes easier. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from weeds. Mortgage Lifter tomato plants require 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.)

Is Mortgage Lifter an heirloom tomato?

Originally developed in the 1930's by a gardener who successfully grew and sold enough of this tomato variety to pay off his mortgage! Mortgage Lifter is a huge heirloom beefsteak that puts out heavy yields of low-acid, pink fruits that are a constant taste test winner.

Are German Johnson tomatoes determinate or indeterminate?

While tomatoes are tender perennials, they only overwinter in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. When growing heirlooms like 'German Johnson' tomatoes, determinate or indeterminate is an important factor. 'German Johnson' is indeterminate and produces fruits until frost.

How do German Johnson tomatoes grow?

Place each 'German Johnson' tomato plant in a hole. Spread out the roots of the plant and pack the soil around the roots and up to the base of the plant. Place a strong tomato cage around the perimeter of each plant. Choose a metal cage at least 6 feet tall; German Johnson tomatoes are known to grow 8 feet high.

Can You Can Big Boy tomatoes?

Being an indeterminate variety, the Better Boy tomato plant will produce tomatoes all season long. In fact, you can pick the green tomatoes can before the first frost.

What is the secret to growing tomatoes?

Adding it is a no-brainer! Spread a 2-3” layer of organic mulch around plants, leaving 2” of room around the stem so water can reach the roots. Protect plants from heat. Hot sun can cause sunscald, leaving tomatoes with pale, leathery patches on the fruits that pucker when they should be ripening.

Is it better to stake or cage tomatoes?

If you want to grow indeterminate tomatoes in containers, it is best to grow them near a trellis or fence that you can train them up, or use very large pots that will allow large cages. ... Dwarf (or patio) tomatoes never need staking, but they only grow two or three feet tall and produce small tomatoes (cherry size).

What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?

Choose a fertilizer that has a balanced ratio of the three major elements, such as 10-10-10, or where the middle number (phosphorus) is larger than the first number (nitrogen), such as 2-3-1. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and usually do need fertilizer unless your soil is very rich.