More Information
| Botanical Name |
Lycopersicon lycopersicum |
| Seeds Per Pack |
25 |
| Life Cycle |
Annual |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
5 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
10 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/4 in. |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Plant Spacing |
24-36 in. (60-90 cm) |
| Hardiness |
N/A |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested |
| Growth Habit |
Indeterminate |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Days to Harvest |
80-90 |
| Propagation Methods |
From herbaceous stem cuttings, From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds, Ferment seeds before storing |
| Open Pollinated (OP) |
Yes |
| Usage |
Fresh, salad, Fresh, slicing |
| Fruit Color |
Pink |
| Fruit Size |
Medium (under one pound), Large (over one pound) |
This heirloom was developed in the 1930s by a gardener named M.C. Byles of Logan, West Virginia, who planted the 4 biggest tomato varieties he knew, and crossed 1 with pollen from the other 3. He did this for 6 seasons and created a variety that produced massive, delicious, rich, sweet beefsteak tomatoes. He sold the plants for $1 apiece and paid off his $6,000 mortgage in 6 years. Mortgage Lifter tomatoes average around 1 lb. but can weigh up to 2 lbs. Fruits are pink when mature and perfect for slicing onto sandwiches.
Check out the full history here: Mortgage Lifter Tomato Story
