The Old German Heirloom Tomato is a showstopper in any garden, known for its large, boat-shaped fruits with golden-yellow skin dramatically streaked with deep red from the blossom end. Inside, its marbled, bicolored flesh is almost seedless and delivers a mildly sweet, low-acid, peach-like flavor. Perfect for slicing, roasting, or fresh summer dishes. Each 1–2 lb tomato is not only stunning but also packed with rich, old-world flavor.
A true heirloom favorite, this open-pollinated variety thrives on vigorous vines that produce steadily from mid-summer into fall when grown on sturdy poles or cages. They take their sweet time to ripen—around 80 to 90 days—but the payoff is massive in both size and flavor. While it requires a bit of extra love (warmth, sunlight, fertile, well-draining soil, consistent pruning, and pest management), it repays you with unforgettable harvests and exceptional taste.
Ideal for heritage seed savers, Old German allows for reliable seed collection and replanting year after year. Start from seed, nurture through the season, and enjoy bountiful yields of massive, sweet, and gorgeously striped tomatoes that honor the legacy of heirloom gardening.
These annuals grow to 5-7 feet and 2-3 feet wide with a growing season of mid-Summer to early Fall. Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily), rich soil, and deep, regular watering. Mulching helps keep the roots cool and the fruit clean.
Pro Tip: Bury stems deeply when transplanting. Tomatoes root along buried nodes, creating stronger, more vigorous plants capable of supporting heavy, large fruits. This technique helps ensure the vines can handle the weight of Old German’s massive fruits. Also, add calcium (eggshells or lime) to planting holes to prevent blossom end rot and support strong fruit development early on
All Shido seeds are Non-GMO and come in a vacuum-sealed packet to lock in freshness and protect your seeds from moisture, air, and pests. Stored properly in a cool, dry place, they remain viable for up to 10 years.
