A wonderful tomato with an incredible story! The taste is sweet, yet rich and full bodied with very few seeds. Mortgage Lifter has that incredible heirloom flavor missing in today's tomatoes. Fruits are 1 pound or larger and born in clusters of 2-3.
Introduced in the 1930’s. Radiator Charlie of Logan, West Virginia created this now legendary tomato by cross-breeding German Johnson, Beefsteak, English and Italian tomato varieties. Charlie had no formal plant breeding experience, just a determination to create the perfect tomato.
After six years he succeeded! A tomato like that was hard to keep a secret and soon he was selling the plants for $1 each. Every spring people would drive from miles around to buy Charlie's heirloom tomato plants and it is said (now tomato legend) he paid his mortgage off in six years! 79 Days.
• Scroll down for detailed growing info •
All Nimble NiteCap Seeds are:
• Heirloom
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Open Pollinated
• Untreated
• US Grown
• growing instructions included
• Regular testing is conducted to uphold the highest germination standards, all the while employing appropriate seed storage techniques.
Sustainable Packaging & Shipping:
• NimbleNitecap seeds are packed in eco-friendly, compostable seed packets. Seed packets are printed in house with vegetable-based inks on biodegradable, recycled materials. (Small plastic bags are infrequently used to prevent the loss of very small seeds.)
• All orders are carefully packed and shipped with tracking via USPS First Class (or Priority, if selected) in padded ECOENCLOSE recycled and reusable mailers, or recycled boxes to protect your items in transit.
Most orders ship out the same or next business day! Please note that this time may be extended during peak season.
• FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more. Flat Rate shipping no matter how many packets you order.
• DIRECTIONS •
~ planting ~
When to start inside:
RECOMMENDED. Start tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sowing the seeds in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees F until germination, as well as providing adequate light in a sunny window or under a grow light; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate.
When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots; bury the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to grow strongly rooted plants. A week before planting the seedlings outside, begin exposing them to the weather during the day to harden them; tomatoes cannot endure cold weather, and should not be transplanted outside until all threat of frost has passed.
When the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees F, plant the seedlings in full sun and very rich soil; once more, bury the entire stem up to the lowest set of leaves. If providing a trellis, space the plants 2' apart, but if allowing the vines to spread, space the plants 3-4' apart.
When to sow outside:
Recommended for mild winter climates only: 1 to 2 weeks before average last frost and when soil temperatures are at least 60° F.
~ growing ~
Indeterminate tomato varieties often perform best when provided with a trellis or support, since this protects them from various pests and diseases in connection with too much soil contact. Put the supports in place before the seedlings develop vines. As the vines begin to grow, tying them to the support helps their development.
Since temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage production, protect the plants if temperatures drop. A thick layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds. Pruning the "suckers," or shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches, will greatly improve the production and strength of the plant.
~ harvesting ~
Harvest tomatoes when fully colored and firm. About 1 month before the average first fall frost, clip all blossoms and any undersized fruit off the plant. This will steer all the plant’s remaining energy into ripening what’s left.
If you have a lot of green tomatoes near the end of the season, and a frost is approaching, pick them and store them indoors in a single layer away from direct sunlight to ripen.
