Tomato (Mortgage Lifter Tomato)

Mortgage Lifter Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) A big and tasty tomato developed by M.C. Byles of Logan, West Virginia in the 1930's. Mr. Byles was an avid gardener without formal plant breeding training and he cross-bred his favorite tomato varieties for many years before stabilizing this variety. Byles sold tomato starts of his unique variety for $1 each and was able to pay off his mortgage with the proceed, hence the name, "Mortgage Lifter".  Mortgage Lifters produce big, sometimes huge fruits and have a classic slicer-tomato flavor. They make wonderful tomato sandwiches and are prized by gardeners today, as they were in Byles day. Origin: The parent seed of our Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes came from a community garden near Cacapon State Park close to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.  (Approximately 20 seeds per packet) Germination rate: 95% - tested 10/17/24 Planting Instructions: we recommend starting tomato seeds indoors in a bright and warm location 4 to 6 weeks before last frost date