How to Grow Mortgage Lifter
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Mortgage Lifter
Solanum lycopersicum 'Mortgage Lifter'
vegetableMortgage Lifter is a legendary heirloom tomato variety known for producing exceptionally large, meaty fruits that can weigh 1-2 pounds or more. Originally developed by M.C. Banna in the 1930s through selective breeding, this indeterminate plant reportedly earned its name because the abundant harvest helped pay off the grower's mortgage. The fruits are pinkish-red with a slightly flattened shape and few seeds, making them ideal for slicing and fresh eating.
When should you plant Mortgage Lifter in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Mortgage Lifter timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Mortgage Lifter
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Mortgage Lifter
Around Jul 4≈ 78 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Mortgage Lifter dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can grow in cooler zones with season extension techniques
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Get my Mortgage Lifter timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with cotyledons and initial true leaves developing; delicate and pale green
Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Maintain moisture but avoid waterlogging. Fertilize lightly with dilute balanced fertilizer after cotyledons fully emerge.
Vegetative
4-6 weeks after transplantingRobust leafy growth with dense foliage; plant rapidly increases in height and develops multiple stems and branches
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Install sturdy stakes or cages early. Prune lower leaves once plant is established to improve air circulation. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences) along the stems; plant reaches full height and begins concentrating energy into reproduction
Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruiting. Maintain consistent watering and deep irrigation. Consider removing some flowers on the first cluster to allow larger fruit development.
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop from fertilized flowers and rapidly enlarge; multiple fruit clusters form along the plant. Fruits are distinctly large and chunky.
Provide consistent, deep watering—this stage is critical for preventing blossom end rot. Fertilize with calcium-rich fertilizer (dilute fish emulsion or balanced formula). Thinning to 2-3 fruits per cluster produces larger individual tomatoes. Prune excessive foliage to allow fruit exposure to sun.
Maturation & Harvest
2-3 weeks and ongoingFruits gradually shift from green to pinkish-red, developing full color over 1-2 weeks. Fruits become softer and fragrant.
Reduce watering slightly once fruits reach mature color to concentrate sugars. Continue supporting heavy fruit with ties or slings. Harvest ripe fruits to encourage further flowering and fruiting on indeterminate plants.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars early morning or evening. Encourage parasitic wasps. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for young larvae. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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Spray strong water spray to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil in early morning/evening. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings. Reflective mulches deter some species.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or horticultural oil. Remove heavily infested leaves. Improve air circulation with pruning.
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Maintain consistent watering and humidity (mites thrive in dry conditions). Spray with water. Use neem oil or horticultural oil. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Remove lower infected leaves as soon as symptoms appear. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Improve air circulation. Apply copper fungicide or sulfur spray preventatively in humid conditions.
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Ensure excellent air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Remove infected foliage immediately. Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide at first sign. In severe climates, use resistant varieties.
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Use
CulinaryMortgage Lifter's large, meaty fruits with few seeds are ideal for slicing fresh into sandwiches, salads, and serving as tomato slices. The sweet, complex flavor and firm texture make it superior to many commercial varieties for fresh eating. [source]
Sauce & Preserving
CulinaryThe dense flesh and rich flavor develop complexity when cooked down into tomato sauce, paste, or soup. Many gardeners freeze or can the abundance from these productive plants. [source]
High-Yield Home Growing
HouseholdThe exceptional productivity and large fruit size make Mortgage Lifter a legendary choice for gardeners seeking to maximize yield from limited garden space. Each plant can produce 10-15+ large fruits over the season. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Mortgage Lifter contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with potential cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. Cooking increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a stable heirloom variety, Mortgage Lifter is excellent for seed saving. Gardeners can collect seeds from ripe fruits and replant them year after year, maintaining this historic cultivar. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits reach full pinkish-red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Twist and gently pull, or cut with pruners to avoid damaging vines. For indeterminate plants, harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering. Tomatoes picked at the 'breaker stage' (just beginning to show color) will continue ripening indoors. In late season, harvest all mature or near-mature fruits before first frost and ripen them indoors on a counter away from direct sunlight.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Mortgage Lifter was created by M.C. Banna, a farmer in Logan, West Virginia, who supposedly earned enough money from selling seedlings of this variety to pay off his mortgage—hence the distinctive name.
- 🌱 Despite being an heirloom from the 1930s, Mortgage Lifter remains one of the most popular home garden tomatoes today, beloved by seed savers and tomato enthusiasts worldwide.
- 🌱 The variety is indeterminate, meaning it grows continuously throughout the season and can reach 6-8+ feet tall, requiring sturdy support and regular maintenance.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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