The German Johnson tomato history starts in Virginia in the early 1900s. Families there grew this pink beefsteak for its sweet flavor and huge size. It became one of America's favorite heirlooms. It also helped create another famous variety.
In my experience, the best way to learn tomato history is from other gardeners. I first heard this story from an old farmer at my local seed swap years ago. He told me how German Johnson became a parent of one of America's most loved varieties. I grew both to taste the link myself.
The Mortgage Lifter origin story starts with a man named Cletis Byles in Logan, West Virginia. He ran a radiator shop so folks called him Radiator Charlie. In the 1930s he wanted to breed a tomato so good that you could pay your mortgage by selling plants.
Charlie placed his German Johnson plant in the center of his garden. He put other strong varieties like beefsteak and oxheart types around it. Bees flew between your plants and carried pollen from flower to flower. This let nature do the crossing work for you.
For six years Charlie saved seeds only from his largest and best tasting fruits. Each season he got closer to his goal. He created what you now call the Radiator Charlie tomato. Your fruits from this variety grow over two pounds each.
Charlie sold his plants for one dollar each which was a lot of money back then. People drove from miles away to buy them from his shop. He made enough to pay off his six thousand dollar mortgage in just a few years. You can see why the Mortgage Lifter name stuck.
Virginia heirloom tomatoes like German Johnson have deep roots in garden history. You can thank all the families who saved seeds year after year. That tradition gave you both German Johnson and its famous offspring to grow in your garden today.
You can still grow German Johnson and taste the tomato that started it all. The pink fruits reach one pound or more with that classic sweet and tangy balance. Side by side with Mortgage Lifter, you can taste the family link between parent and child.
Plant both varieties in your garden this season and judge for yourself which you like better. German Johnson ripens a bit sooner and some say tastes sweeter. Mortgage Lifter grows bigger fruits. Either way you connect with American tomato history in your own backyard.
Read the full article: Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties to Grow
