Carbon Copy

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Bursting with a glossy, candy-bright sweetness, Carbon Copy cherry tomatoes ripen to a rich, true red that catches the light on the vine.

Each fruit is small yet satisfyingly firm, with a juicy snap and a clean, aromatic tomato flavor that shines whether you’re savoring them straight from the garden or letting their vivid taste carry through sauces and quick roasting. Grow Carbon Copy for a steady, early harvest at about 60 days—an abundant, vine-hugging treat for the home gardener who loves flavor that pops.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	8

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Small-fruited and firm, Carbon Copy holds shape while delivering a juicy burst—exactly what you want when you don’t want tomatoes to turn soft and watery. It’s built for high-impact raw snacking and quick-roast sauce work where the aromatic intensity stays loud, not muted.

Best Uses

eating straight—best chilled or just-picked to underline the snap
quick roasting (high heat, short time) so they blister without collapsing into jam
tossing into fast pan sauces where the skins stay intact and the juice emulsifies

Flavor Profile

candy-bright sweetness juicy snap with small, firm bite clean, aromatic tomato tang

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil balsamic vinegar mozzarella fresh mozzarella or burrata black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Solanum lycopersicum (chocolate cherry type) in home gardens, and how should I manage it?

Watch for early blight (brown concentric spots on older leaves) and gray mold/botrytis if foliage stays wet. Remove the earliest spotted leaves, improve airflow by pruning lower leaves that touch the soil, and water at the soil line so leaves dry quickly. If problems persist, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes/early blight and repeat according to label directions.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase?

During active fruiting (after flowering), keep soil evenly moist rather than alternating dry and soggy—typically about 1 to 2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply at the base and pause when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking. Consistent moisture is especially important around the first fruit set through harvest.

How can I tell when Solanum lycopersicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety (deep chocolate/burgundy tone) and have a slight give when gently squeezed, not rock-hard. The seeds inside should look developed, and the fruit should come off easily with a light twist. For most plantings, expect harvest starting around day ~60 and continue picking every few days to avoid overripening.