TOMATO Seeds, German Johnson

German Johnson (Solanum lycopersicum) is a Southern heirloom beefsteak tomato producing large, pinkish-red, meaty fruit with rich, low-acid flavor. An indeterminate, potato-leaf variety and one of the parent lines of Mortgage Lifter.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum 'German Johnson'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated tomato
• Growth habit: indeterminate
• Days to maturity: about 80 to 90 days from transplant
• Fruit size: large, often around 1 pound
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 24 to 36 inches apart
• Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seed

Best for

• Slicing for sandwiches
• Fresh salads
• Canning and sauces
• Standout centerpiece tomatoes
• Seed saving

How to grow

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant after the soil warms, planting deep. Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil and water consistently and evenly to reduce cracking. Stake or cage the tall, indeterminate vines, which produce until frost.

Flavor profile

Rich, sweet, and slightly tangy with a meaty, low-acid texture.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms specializes in non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds chosen for flavor and reliability, so you can grow proven varieties and save seed season after season.