German Johnson

[GIZZARDFARM]

I have a friend who has offered some German Johnson plants as well as Parks Whopper. I already have close to 300 plants started to put out but always like to try new varities. What are ya'lls experiences with these and how about taste and productivity???

Gizzard

[tomatoguy]

Hi Gizzard,

I grew GJ once a few years ago. The plants were very productive and the fruit were large. The taste, I suppose, is a matter of personal preference. While they had a good taste, they were too sweet for me. I like the tangy taste of Brandywine, Earl's Faux, Mortgage Lifter, etc. My next door neighbors, however, raved over them. They also liked German Queen and Mr. Stripey, both on the sweet side. Good thing they liked them because I loaded them up with GJ for the rest of the season.

Well, there is Park's Whopper and Improved Park's Whopper. If you have access to the original, I would get them. They lived up to their name and put out lots of large tangy fruit. The so called improved variety was anything but. Lower production, smaller fruit and blander taste was my experience. What they improved befuddles me for sure.
I don't grow hybrids much anymore but I am giving Big Zac a try this year.

mater

[feldon30]

It's amazing how many people I have heard say that German Johnson has a "strange" or "off" taste to them. I guess I should grow it just to see what that's all about!

[JimmyWu]

They are a big favorite here in the Piedmont of N.C.

But, I don't really know if I've had a true GJ. I've seen alot, some smooth skinned and some ribbed to the point of repulsiveness, almost like tumors on a body. The one that tasted the best was the repulsive looking gent, quite sweet deep colors and made a great marinated tomato salad.

-Jimmy

[kygreg]

Ditto Tomatoguy on Improved Parks Whopper; tried it for last 2 years with little success; will not grow again.(famous last words)

[natural]

I found German Johnson to be very productive. I thought the flavor was good. I thought it was slightly, but not overly sweet. I definitely have several other pinks that I like better, but still include GJ on my list.

Bill

[Worth1]

I'm growing it this year.

Worth

[feldon30]

When I was in N.C. last year, Suze and I ducked into the N.C. Farmer's Market and were greeted with mountains of German Johnson. We should have bought one just to taste it.

[nctomatoman]

Ah, but will the real German Johnson please stand up? Since we've lived in NC for over 16 years, we've tried our share when our own tomatoes were either anticipated or taking a break. Flavors all over the place - from bland to somewhat musky/off to very good. I've saved seed from a few - and I've gotten some regular leaf and some potato leaf plants.

So, it is kind of like the Silver Queen corn situation - you see white corn, you see the sign...but is it really what it says it is? In NC, German Johnson is a pretty well known name for tomatoes and the name itself helps sell them - but what you are really getting is anyone's guess.