My Favorite Heirloom: Old German
By Vanessa Richins
On the first night of my Master Gardener course, we had a tomato sampling feast. (Lucky me!)
We went out to the experimental tomato patch and were able to try many different varieties of tomatoes.
The one that I was most impressed with was a heirloom named ‘Old German.’
The fruits were huge and the flesh very sweet. I felt like stealing the plate so I wouldn’t have to be polite and leave the rest for everyone else.
We have Old German thanks to a 19th century Mennonite (a religious sect that is somewhat like the Amish) group in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
Actually, several of the heirlooms we have today (such as Mennonite Orange, Tiffin Mennonite, and Large Mennonite Heritage) are still around because of Mennonite efforts. The Amish were also responsible for preserving many other heirloom varieties.
Old German is of the indeterminate variety, meaning that it will not stop growing until it killed by frost. You will definitely need to provide a cage or a staking system. It also means that it will continue fruiting throughout the whole growing season, unlike a determinate variety.
You will need to make sure that Old German is watered regularly, as it is not drought-tolerant.
Old German tomatoes are ready to harvest after approximately 75-85 days. It may not be the most prolific producer, but the fruits are 1-2 pounds of sweet decadence. They are also very pretty, as they are yellow streaked and spotted with red.
When you are planting next season, be sure to add in at least a plant or two of my favorite heirloom – the Old German tomato.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:31 am
This is a great site. I had heard a lot about you mostly from Aunt Deb–and good to finally see your place. It’s witty and informative. I look forward to reading more. I worked at a garden center for years and we sold a lot of German Johnsons. They tasted good too and all the old timers came to purchase it. I’ll try this one you suggested too.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Thanks, Vanessa! It’s on my list.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I’ll have to look this one up next year.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I had some Striped German tomatoes this summer…and they were heaven!
The two varieties must be related or something.
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Great recommendation. I am giving this variety a try, however it may not be well suited for my area (San Carlos, California, between San Jose and San Francisco). So far the seeds I have planted are growing very slowly. Has anyone else in Northern California given these a shot?
June 9th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
is the German tomato a hertiage tomatoe?
June 13th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I have 4 Old Germans growing right now. 2 in 7 gallon plastic pots and 2 in the ground. the 2 in pots are about 2-3 ft tall, while the 2 in the ground are over 5 ft and very bushy. They all started the same date. Overall they are out growing all of my non heirloom varieties. Cant wait till they fruit.
Central Valley California.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I have one old german that is taking over my little veggie garden. I gave up on the stakes and am now proping it up with tree limbs and the biggest sticks I can find. I’ve never seen anything like it. My problem is it’s covered in green tomatoes that aren’t ripening before they bust open. They just grow and grow till they pop without even blushing.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
hello, i have recently started growing heirloom tomatoes. i have the old german, ananas noir, black zebra, and purple calabash. i’ve have had some nice size delicious tomatoes this summer, however many of the fruit have had cracks near the stem end and shoulders of the fruit. does anyone know what could be the cause of this, and what i can do?
thx
tony
July 10th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I have my first Old German plant and I just noticed that all the bottoms of the tomatoes are black! does anyone know what this is from?
B
July 13th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I’ve got one growning in Minnesota. The plant looks healthy, but I am not getting any fruit. In fact the flowers never really seem to blossom. Are they supposed to be tiny tiny flowers? It might just be that it has been a strange summer, lots of temperate weather, not enough sun… but I wonder if there is anything I can do to help it fruit?
August 9th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Nathan,
I have the exact same problem but I have no idea why. My five other varietals have produced a bounty so I know it isn’t weather or lack of bees in my case. Help anyone?