Famous Heirloom Bred by Radiator Charlie to Pay Off His Mortgage
Tomato 'Mortgage Lifter' is a well-known heirloom bred in the 1930s by Radiator Charlie, the owner of a radiator repair shop facing bankruptcy. With no plant breeding experience, he cross-bred 4 varieties to develop this big, tasty tomato. He sold 1,000 plants at $1 each over six years and paid off his mortgage. Fruits can average 2½ pounds and may reach 4 pounds when grown well. These large, slightly flattened, pink-red tomatoes are meaty and flavorful with few seeds. Plants are very productive and disease-resistant, continuing to bear until frost.
Key Features
Famous Heirloom Story — Bred by Radiator Charlie to pay off his mortgage in the 1930s
Giant Fruits — Average 2½ lbs, can reach 4 lbs when grown well
Meaty & Flavorful — Large, slightly flattened, pink-red tomatoes with few seeds
Very Productive — Abundant production continuing until frost
Disease-Resistant — Strong resistance to common tomato diseases
Indeterminate Vines — Grow 4–6 feet tall with continuous production
Growing Tips
Tomato 'Mortgage Lifter' thrives in full sun with warm temperatures and well-drained, fertile soil. Provide sturdy support with tall cages or stakes—vines grow 4–6 feet tall. Space plants 24–36 inches apart. Water consistently and deeply, avoiding overhead watering. Mulch to retain moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases. Tomatoes mature in 75–85 days.
Container Size: 3.5" pot Light: Full sun Water: Consistent, deep watering Spacing: 24–36" apart Harvest: 75–85 days; 4–6' tall vines; indeterminate
Pricing & Availability All items are subject to availability. You may contact us via email - mulchpit1@gmail.com, or call us at 615-754-7076 to check our current availability. We strive to keep our website prices accurate, but prices are subject to change.
