Mortgage Lifter Beefsteak Tomato pairs a memorable garden story with large, meaty fruit and rich flavor. Associated with the Depression-era story of "Radiator Charlie" Byles, this heirloom remains a favorite for generous sandwich slices and fresh tomato plates. Vigorous indeterminate vines produce tomatoes that can reach approximately 1–2 pounds under favorable conditions. Give plants full sun, fertile soil, consistent moisture, and strong support, then enjoy the harvest in sandwiches, salads, and homemade sauces. Each packet contains 100 non-GMO heirloom seeds.

Germination Rate: 91%. Test Date: 12/25. TLM.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 75%

Why Choose Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes?

• Memorable Heritage: Grow an heirloom associated with the story of "Radiator Charlie" and American home-garden ingenuity.
• Large Beefsteak Fruit: Tomatoes can reach approximately 1–2 pounds under favorable conditions, offering broad slices for sandwiches.
• Meaty Texture: Substantial flesh works well fresh, roasted, or simmered into sauces.
• Indeterminate Habit: Supported vines can continue growing and setting fruit when weather and plant health permit.
• Heirloom and Open-Pollinated: Grow a non-GMO variety and save seed with suitable isolation and selection to maintain its characteristics.

Planting Tips for Success

• Start Indoors: Sow approximately 6–8 weeks before your planned outdoor transplant date, about 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Keep evenly moist and provide bright light after emergence.
• Transplanting: Harden off seedlings gradually. Plant outdoors after frost danger passes and soil and nights have warmed.
• Sun and Soil: Choose full sun with 6–8 hours of direct light and fertile, well-drained soil amended with finished compost.
• Spacing: Allow approximately 24–36 inches between supported plants and sufficient row space for ventilation and harvest access.
• Support: Install tall, sturdy stakes, cages, or a trellis early. Tie stems loosely as they grow and support branches bearing heavy fruit.
• Watering: Water consistently at soil level. Mulch after soil warms to moderate moisture swings and reduce soil splash.
• Fertilizing: Follow soil-test recommendations and fertilizer label directions. Avoid excessive nitrogen that encourages leaves at the expense of fruit.
• Pruning and Care: Train vines to suit their support and remove damaged foliage as needed. Keep enough healthy leaves to shade fruit and inspect regularly for pests and disease.
• Harvesting: Pick fully colored fruit that yields slightly to gentle pressure. Fruit size, harvest timing, and yield vary with growing conditions.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Cooking Methods

• Fresh Slicing: Serve thick slices with herbs, olive oil, and a little salt.
• Sandwiches: Layer broad, meaty slices into BLTs, burgers, or garden sandwiches.
• Roasted: Roast wedges with oil, garlic, and herbs to concentrate their flavor.
• Sauces and Soups: Simmer chopped ripe tomatoes into sauce or soup, reducing excess juice as needed.
• Preserving: Freeze prepared tomatoes for cooking or use tested home-canning recipes for shelf-stable preservation.

Order Mortgage Lifter Tomato Seeds Today

Grow large, richly flavored Mortgage Lifter tomatoes for generous slices and fresh summer meals.

Nutritional Information

Existing generic raw tomato reference, not a Mortgage Lifter-specific analysis. Applies to harvested fruit, not planting seeds. Per medium tomato, approximately 123 grams:

• Calories: 22
• Total Fat: 0.2 gram
• Sodium: 6 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 4.8 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5 grams
• Total Sugars: 3.2 grams
• Protein: 1.1 grams
• Vitamin C: 17 milligrams (19% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 292 milligrams (6% Daily Value)

% Daily Value is based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values are approximate and vary with portion size, growing conditions, and preparation.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Fruit size, shape, color, maturity, flavor, and yield vary with growing conditions and care. No growing outcome is guaranteed.
• Seed Storage: Keep unused seeds sealed in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat and moisture.
• Planting Zones: Grow tomatoes as warm-season annuals. Use local frost dates and soil temperatures to select planting times.
• Seed Saving: Save seed from healthy, suitably isolated plants when maintaining varietal purity.
• Edible Portion: Recipes use harvested tomato fruit, not foliage or the planting seeds in this packet.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.

Classic Mortgage Lifter Tomato BLT

Use ripe, harvested Mortgage Lifter tomatoes for this satisfying sandwich, not the planting seeds in the packet. Makes 2 sandwiches. Preparation: 10 minutes. Cooking: approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on bacon thickness.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe Mortgage Lifter tomato, enough for 4 thick slices
• 6 slices bacon
• 4 slices sandwich bread or sourdough
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste, optional

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat according to package directions until thoroughly cooked and crisp, turning as needed. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and handle hot grease carefully.
2. Wash the tomato under running water and dry. Remove the core and cut approximately 1/2-inch-thick slices. Blot excess surface juice gently.
3. Toast the bread. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice.
4. Layer two bread slices with lettuce, tomato, and three cooked bacon slices each. Season the tomato with pepper and optional salt.
5. Top with remaining bread, cut in half, and serve immediately.

Serving and Storage

Serve with cucumber slices, a green salad, or chips. Keep raw bacon and its utensils separate from ready-to-eat ingredients. Refrigerate leftover cut tomatoes, cooked bacon, and assembled sandwiches within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Store ingredients separately when preparing ahead for the best texture. Contains wheat and egg when made with standard bread and mayonnaise; check labels.