Carolina Gold

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Carolina Gold to a garden.

Sun-warmed and honey-bright, Carolina Gold tomatoes ripen to a luminous golden-gold color with a tender, juicy flesh and a pleasantly balanced sweetness.

The slices hold their shape beautifully—silky yet substantial—making them a standout for fresh plates, vibrant salads, and rich, spoonable sauces that glow with golden flavor. For gardeners seeking a classic slicing tomato with a radiant, old-fashioned charm, Carolina Gold delivers both beauty and bold, sunny taste in about 75 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Carolina Gold Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Carolina Gold’s flesh is juicy but disciplined—silky-smooth in the mouth while still slicing clean, which is exactly why it shines on fresh plates and in golden reductions. Use it where you want tomato flavor to glow, not smear: a quick salt hit, olive oil, and pepper lets that honeyed sweetness and balanced tang do the talking.

Best Uses

thick slices for a no-cook salt-and-olive-oil plate (they hold shape and don’t collapse into the bread)
vibrant salad with a tangy vinaigrette (their juicy gel clings instead of turning watery)
golden spoonable sauce—reduce to concentrate without going gritty
grilled or pan-seared slices for a bronzed edge and custardy interior

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness with balanced acidity silky, juicy flesh that stays structured in slices sun-warmed, gently aromatic tomato flavor

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil aged balsamic vinegar garlic fresh mozzarella white fish or shrimp black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomato “Carolina Gold”), and what should I do first?

Early blight (Alternaria) is a common issue on tomatoes, showing up as dark, concentric spots on older leaves that can spread upward. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, water at the soil line (not on foliage), and improve airflow with pruning so leaves dry faster. If the problem keeps spreading, start a labeled fungicide spray for tomatoes as soon as spots are visible and repeat according to the label schedule.

How often should I water Carolina Gold during peak fruiting to avoid problems?

During main growth and fruit set, keep the soil evenly moist—typically about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, adjusted for heat and container vs. ground. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for consistent moisture to reduce blossom-end rot and cracking. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that leaves the root zone dry between bouts.

How can I tell when Carolina Gold tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for your variety (golden/yellow-gold), have a slight give when gently squeezed, and the shoulders look smooth and fully ripened. Pick about every 2–3 days once they start turning so ripe fruit doesn’t overstay and split or get sunscald. For best flavor near days to maturity (~75), stop harvesting only when fruits are no longer reaching full color.