German Johnson Tomato

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in flats or 200-cell trays about 5, 6 weeks before your intended transplant date. Keep soil at a constant 75, 85°F with moderate moisture; germination typically occurs in 5, 7 days. At the first true leaf stage, pot up seedlings to 50-cell trays or 4-inch pots depending on your transplant timeline. Grow them at a steady 60, 70°F temperature under good light, and feed with a complete fertilizer until hardening off. Avoid starting too early, as leggy, root-bound, or flowering transplants stunt growth and reduce early production.

Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil warms to 60, 70°F and frost danger has passed. Space plants 18, 24 inches apart in rows 36, 48 inches apart. Install trellising at planting time using 5, 6 foot stakes pounded every 2, 3 plants, with heavier t-posts intermittently and at bed ends to support vigorous indeterminate growth. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over several days before final planting.

Pick fruit when fully ripe and deep pink-red in color for peak flavor and sweetness. For storage purposes, you can harvest at the pink-mature stage (less ripe) and store at cooler temperatures; however, green picking sacrifices quality and should be avoided. Fruit averages 12, 20 ounces when well grown. Harvest regularly throughout the season to encourage continued production on this indeterminate plant.

As an indeterminate variety, German Johnson benefits from strategic pruning once it reaches a manageable size. Use the basket-weave trellising method by tying main stems to stakes as they grow, which supports the vigorous plant and improves air circulation. Consider pruning back the growing tip or removing lower foliage once the plant outgrows its trellis, particularly in humid climates where dense foliage increases disease pressure. Prune judiciously to maintain productivity while managing height for easier harvesting.