Heirloom Tomato Variety Pack Seeds – Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Indiana Red & Mortgage Lifter
Grow four legendary heirloom tomatoes in one convenient seed collection with this Heirloom Tomato Variety Pack featuring Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Indiana Red, and Mortgage Lifter. These time-tested favorites are prized for rich flavor, large slicing fruit, vigorous plants, and dependable harvests. Perfect for gardeners who want to compare colors, flavors, and performance while enjoying a season full of premium homegrown tomatoes.
Whether you love dark beefsteaks, classic pink slicers, rich red tomatoes, or giant meaty fruits, this variety pack brings diversity and deliciousness to your garden.
History of These Heirloom Favorites
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Cherokee Purple – An old variety believed to trace back to Native American seed saving traditions, known for dusky purple-red fruit and unmatched flavor.
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German Johnson – A classic Southern heirloom treasured for large pink fruit and juicy sweetness.
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Indiana Red – A Midwest heirloom valued for reliable yields and rich old-fashioned tomato taste.
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Mortgage Lifter – Famous for helping its creator pay off his mortgage through seed sales thanks to huge, productive fruit.
Plant Profile
Days to Maturity
- Cherokee Purple: 75–85 days
- German Johnson: 75–85 days
- Indiana Red: 75–85 days
- Mortgage Lifter: 80–90 days
Fruit Size
- Cherokee Purple: 10–16 oz
- German Johnson: 12–24 oz
- Indiana Red: 8–16 oz
- Mortgage Lifter: 1–2+ lbs
Plant Size: Typically 5–8 feet tall with support; 24–36 inches wide.
Flavor Profile
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Cherokee Purple – Rich, smoky, sweet, complex
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German Johnson – Mild, sweet, juicy, balanced
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Indiana Red – Full-bodied classic tomato taste
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Mortgage Lifter – Sweet, meaty, low acid, rich
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
All four varieties are indeterminate tomatoes, meaning plants continue growing and producing until frost.
- Long harvest season with multiple flushes of ripe fruit
- Excellent summer yields with regular picking
- Best grown with cages, stakes, or trellises
Disease Resistance
As heirloom varieties, these tomatoes are selected more for flavor than hybrid resistance, but they perform very well with good garden practices.
- Rotate crops yearly
- Water at soil level
- Provide strong airflow
- Mulch soil surface
- Remove lower leaves touching soil
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Plant deeply to encourage extra roots
- Use sturdy supports early
- Feed regularly with balanced fertilizer
- Prune lightly for airflow
- Harvest often to encourage continued production
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Spacing: 24–36 inches apart; rows 36–48 inches apart
When to Plant
Depending on your location, it is recommended that tomatoes are started indoors to give them the long warm season they need to thrive. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost date and transplant outdoors once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F and all frost danger has passed.
General guide by zone:
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Zones 3–5: Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost
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Zones 6–7: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost
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Zones 8–10: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before planting out
Find your USDA hardiness zone and frost dates at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
Best Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Basil – May improve flavor and helps attract pollinators
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Marigolds – Helps deter pests and brightens beds
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Nasturtiums – Trap crop for aphids
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Parsley – Attracts beneficial insects
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Onions/Garlic – Strong scent may discourage pests
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Carrots – Use garden space efficiently below tomato canopy
How to Enjoy
- Thick sandwich slices
- Fresh caprese salads
- Salsa and bruschetta
- Heirloom tomato platters
- Burgers and BLTs
- Homemade sauce and canning
- Garden-fresh snacking
Why Gardeners Love This Variety Pack
- Four premium heirloom favorites in one pack
- Compare flavors, colors, and fruit sizes
- Continuous harvest all season
- Excellent slicing and fresh eating tomatoes
- Great value for home gardeners
- Trusted heirloom genetics with rich history
Harvest Tips
- Pick fruit when fully colored and slightly soft
- Harvest often to keep plants productive
- Let large fruits finish ripening indoors if weather threatens
- Store at room temperature for best flavor
- Never refrigerate unless fully ripe and necessary
Order Today
Grow a legendary tomato garden with this Heirloom Tomato Variety Pack featuring Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Indiana Red, and Mortgage Lifter. Enjoy colorful harvests, exceptional flavor, and old-fashioned tomato goodness all season long. Order today and plant a garden full of heirloom flavor!
