Cherokee Green

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, Cherokee Green delivers a mellow, smoky-sweet flavor with a subtle tang that lingers on the palate.

At maturity, its large slicing fruits show a distinctive green-gold blush over a smooth, satin skin, with a juicy, tender flesh and balanced seed gel—ideal for thick, satisfying slices in fresh salads and vibrant tomato-forward dishes. Grow Cherokee Green for a garden-to-table centerpiece: vigorous plants that reward with steady, season-long harvests and a truly uncommon color you’ll want to show off in every bowl.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Cherokee Green

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	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cherokee Green brings a sun-warmed, smoky-sweet tomato note with a restrained tang—perfect when you want tomato flavor to stay smooth and juicy rather than acidic. Slice it thick and let its satin skin and tender gel hold up under salt and oil, whether you’re building a sandwich or spooning a bright salad.

Best Uses

thick slices on sourdough with flaky salt (won’t taste sharp, but stays lively)
fresh tomato salad where the juices can cling to greens
tomato-forward salsa with a gentle, smoky edge
light sauté or quick roast to concentrate without turning harsh

Flavor Profile

mellow smoky-sweet flavor subtle tang that lingers juicy tender flesh satin-smooth slicing skin

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar black pepper fennel pollen mozzarella olive oil pork belly

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) like Cherokee Green, and how do I control it?

Early blight is a common problem on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), showing as brown spots with yellowing leaves that spread from the lower foliage upward. Remove and discard the affected leaves, keep plants well-spaced for airflow, and water at the soil line to avoid wet foliage. If it’s spreading, start a weekly labeled spray program with a fungicide approved for tomatoes (follow the label’s timing and reapplication intervals).

How often should I water Cherokee Green tomatoes during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During active fruiting, water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat—aim for consistently moist soil, not puddles. A good target is evenly damp soil 6–8 inches down; if the top inch dries out, water. Mulch around the base helps prevent rapid drying that leads to blossom-end rot and cracking.

How can I tell when Cherokee Green tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is fully sized (about 75 days from transplanting for many home schedules) and the shoulders are mostly colored and the fruit feels slightly soft when gently squeezed. Cherokee Green stays green even when ripe, so rely on size plus a subtle color shift, mild fragrance, and tender skin rather than turning red. Pick regularly once they’re ripe to keep plants producing.