German Johnson
Solanum lycopersicum 'German Johnson'
A treasured heirloom beefsteak variety from North Carolina, prized for its massive size and outstanding flavor balance of sweet and tangy. These impressive fruits can weigh over a pound each and feature the classic ribbed, irregular shape that makes every slice unique. A favorite among gardeners who want to grow conversation-starting tomatoes with old-fashioned taste.
Harvest
80-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for German Johnson in USDA Zone 7
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German Johnson · Zones 10–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe German Johnson tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for peak flavor — refrigeration dulls their complex taste. For longer storage, keep slightly underripe fruits in a cool, dark place where they'll continue ripening over 1-2 weeks.
German Johnson's exceptional flavor makes them ideal for canning as whole tomatoes or sauce — their meaty texture holds up well to processing. Slice and freeze on trays, then transfer to freezer bags for winter cooking use. The large size makes them perfect for stuffing and freezing whole. Dehydrating thick slices creates intensely flavored tomato leather. Their high flesh-to-seed ratio and rich taste also make them excellent candidates for fermented tomato paste or traditional tomato preserves.
History & Origin
German Johnson originated in North Carolina in the early 1900s, though its exact parentage remains uncertain. The variety was likely developed by German immigrants who brought tomato seeds from their homeland and selected for traits suited to the American South's hot, humid climate.
This heirloom gained popularity throughout the southeastern United States during the mid-20th century, passed down through generations of home gardeners who prized its exceptional size and flavor. The name reflects both its Germanic origins and the Johnson family, who were instrumental in preserving and distributing the variety in North Carolina.
German Johnson nearly disappeared during the commercial agriculture boom of the 1960s-70s when hybrid varieties dominated the market. It survived thanks to dedicated seed savers who recognized its superior eating quality. Today, it's experiencing renewed interest among heirloom enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors and garden-worthy conversation pieces.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and utilizes space efficiently without competing
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while deterring hornworms
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Competes heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance typical of heirlooms. Prone to cracking in wet weather.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, cutworms, aphids, tobacco budworm
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, septoria leaf spot, bacterial wilt