Moneymaker
Solanum lycopersicum 'Moneymaker'
A British heirloom that lives up to its name with incredibly productive vines that produce abundant clusters of medium-sized red tomatoes. This reliable variety has been a staple in home gardens for generations thanks to its consistent performance and excellent flavor that works well for both fresh eating and cooking. The vigorous plants continue producing until frost, making every square foot of garden space profitable.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Moneymaker in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Moneymaker · Zones 10–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – May | July – August | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | — | September – September |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – 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
Start Moneymaker seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds a quarter-inch deep in seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperatures around 70°F for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into larger containers once they develop their first true leaves. Harden off seedlings outdoors over a week-long period before moving them to the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Direct seeding is possible in warm climates, but indoor starting gives you a head start on the 75 to 85-day harvest window.
Space Moneymaker plants 24 to 36 inches apart in full sun, as this vigorous variety needs good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Dig planting holes enriched with aged compost or well-rotted manure, mixed into the surrounding soil at least 12 inches deep. This variety responds particularly well to consistent soil nutrition. Bury transplants deeper than they grew in their containers, as tomatoes can develop roots along buried stems, creating stronger plants capable of sustained production until frost.
Water Moneymaker consistently and deeply, aiming for one to two inches per week depending on rainfall and heat. This variety is particularly susceptible to blossom end rot when watering becomes irregular, so maintain even soil moisture rather than alternating between wet and dry conditions. Mulch around plants with two to three inches of straw or shredded leaves to moderate soil moisture fluctuations. Begin feeding every two to three weeks once plants flower, using a balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus to encourage continued fruit set throughout the long season.
Moneymaker's productivity makes it especially attractive to common tomato pests. Scout regularly for aphids and whiteflies on leaf undersides, treating infestations early with insecticidal soap. Watch for tomato hornworms, which can defoliate plants quickly on vigorous varieties like this one—hand-pick them when found. Spider mites thrive in hot, dusty conditions, so consistent foliar moisture from overhead watering can help deter them.
Early blight and late blight will target the lower foliage first on Moneymaker. Remove lower leaves as plants grow, maintaining at least 12 inches of bare stem from the ground. This improves air circulation and removes the most vulnerable growth. Fusarium wilt resistance varies by seed source, so source seeds from reputable breeders offering resistant strains.
Prune Moneymaker selectively, removing only lower leaves and suckers that crowd the plant's interior. Many gardeners over-prune vigorous indeterminate varieties, sacrificing leaf coverage needed to protect developing fruit from sunscald. The variety needs its foliage—one critical mistake gardeners make is stripping the plant down too aggressively, reducing the photosynthetic power driving those abundant clusters of tomatoes.
Harvesting
Moneymaker tomatoes reach peak harvest readiness when they display a deep, uniform red color across the entire fruit with a slight give when gently squeezed, indicating full ripeness. These medium-sized specimens are ready when they detach easily from the vine with minimal pressure, signaling optimal sugar development. Rather than a single harvest, Moneymaker produces continuously throughout the season in abundant clusters, so plan for regular picking every two to three days during peak production. Harvest in the early morning when temperatures are cooler to maximize shelf life and flavor intensity, and prioritize removing fully ripe fruits to encourage the plant to direct energy toward developing the next wave of blossoms and immature fruit.
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
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 freshly harvested Moneymaker tomatoes at room temperature until fully ripe, then refrigerate at 50–55°F in a single layer or shallow container to extend shelf life to two to three weeks. Avoid stacking to prevent bruising. For seed saving, allow fruit to fully mature on the vine, then ferment seeds in water for three days before drying completely on a screen in a warm, well-ventilated space.
Fresh tomatoes keep five to seven days at room temperature, less if already soft. The variety's balanced acidity and natural pectin content make it ideal for canning—both whole tomato sauce and salsa preserve exceptionally well using standard water bath methods. Freezing works well for cooking applications; simply core and freeze whole, then thaw before use. For drying, slice evenly, salt lightly, and dehydrate at 135–145°F until leathery. This variety's consistent ripening habit means you'll have concentrated harvests perfect for batch processing, so plan preservation efforts accordingly during peak season.
History & Origin
The Moneymaker tomato emerged as a British heirloom variety, though detailed documentation of its specific breeder and origin year remains sparse in horticultural records. Its development likely occurred during the early-to-mid twentieth century within British seed-growing traditions, a period when commercial vegetable breeding focused on productivity and reliability for home gardeners. The variety's name itself suggests deliberate selection for prolific yields, a priority during post-war British gardening culture. While its exact parentage is undocumented, Moneymaker represents the lineage of open-pollinated British tomatoes bred for temperate climates and consistent performance. The variety's longevity in cultivation and enduring popularity across generations indicates successful, if anonymously recorded, horticultural work.
Origin: Peru
Advantages
- +Incredibly productive vines yield abundant clusters of medium-sized tomatoes
- +Well-balanced flavor with good acidity works fresh or cooked
- +Reliable British heirloom produces consistently from planting until frost
- +Vigorous plants maximize garden space profitability with minimal effort
- +Easy difficulty makes it ideal for beginner and experienced gardeners
Considerations
- -Susceptible to early and late blight in humid conditions
- -Vulnerable to multiple pests including hornworms and spider mites
- -Requires consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot development
- -Prone to fusarium wilt in infected or poorly draining soil
Companion Plants
Basil planted 12–18 inches from each Moneymaker is a standard pairing, and the pest-deterrence claims are overstated — what you actually get is a reliable harvest of both crops in the same patch, which is reason enough. Marigolds are worth more attention than they usually get: French marigolds (Tagetes patula) release thiophene compounds from their roots that suppress root-knot nematode populations in surrounding soil. In our zone 7 Georgia gardens, nematode pressure on heirlooms can run high, and since Moneymaker carries no soilborne resistance — NC State Extension specifically calls this out as a gap in heirloom varieties — a border of marigolds is a practical cultural control, not just decoration. Carrots and lettuce fill the gaps without competing for root space, and lettuce handles the afternoon shade a 4–5-foot Moneymaker throws by mid-July better than most crops would.
Fennel is the one to keep at the far end of the property. It releases allelopathic compounds that interfere with root development on nearby plants, and tomatoes are especially sensitive. Brassicas — cabbage, broccoli, kale — pull similar soil nutrients and share enough pest overlap with Solanaceae that planting them adjacent just concentrates aphid and whitefly pressure in a single corridor.
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and repels hornworms and other pests
Carrots
Helps break up soil for better tomato root development
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that eat aphids
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Borage
Repels hornworms and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and doesn't compete for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and death
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworms and compete for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance, good tolerance to cool weather and variable conditions
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworm, spider mites
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot in inconsistent watering
Troubleshooting Moneymaker
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Lower leaves developing dark brown bullseye-patterned spots, yellowing around the lesions, starting around day 45–50 after transplant
Likely Causes
- Early blight (Alternaria solani) — a soil-borne fungus that splashes up onto foliage during rain or overhead watering
- Poor airflow from crowded planting or unpruned suckers
What to Do
- 1.Strip affected leaves and bin them — don't compost them
- 2.Lay 3–4 inches of straw mulch at the base to stop soil splash
- 3.NC State Extension's IPM guidance recommends rotating nightshades out of the same bed for at least 3–4 years; for serious blight pressure, 5–7 years is the safer window
Dark, sunken, leathery patch on the blossom end of fruit — shows up while fruit is still green or just beginning to ripen
Likely Causes
- Blossom end rot — calcium deficiency in the developing fruit driven by inconsistent soil moisture, not usually a lack of calcium in the soil itself
- Irregular watering cycles (bone dry, then soaked) that interrupt calcium uptake through the roots
What to Do
- 1.Water on a consistent schedule — drip irrigation set to run daily during peak summer heat is the most reliable way to keep soil moisture steady
- 2.Mulch heavily to buffer moisture swings between rain events
- 3.NC State Extension notes that heirloom varieties like Moneymaker lack the physiological tolerances bred into modern hybrids, so dialing in irrigation matters more here than it would with a disease-resistant hybrid
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Moneymaker tomato take to grow from seed to harvest?▼
Is Moneymaker tomato good for beginners?▼
Can you grow Moneymaker tomatoes in containers?▼
What does Moneymaker tomato taste like compared to other varieties?▼
When should I plant Moneymaker tomato seeds?▼
How much space does Moneymaker tomato need in the garden?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.