Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into the rich, smoky-sweet aroma of Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon, where each large fruit ripens to a deep, velvety mahogany-red with a subtle, warm brown blush.

The flesh is luxuriously firm yet tender, with a balanced, old-fashioned flavor that shines in thick slices and hearty spoonfuls—ideal for bold fresh salads, vibrant sauces, and slow-roasted favorites. A true heirloom for gardeners who want dramatic color, substantial heft, and a memorable taste that feels like heritage in every bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon

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 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This beefsteak heirloom earns its keep in the places where big slices matter: it holds its structure, turns lush at the edges, and gives you that smoky-sweet perfume without collapsing into watery gel. Pair it with sharp fat and acidic punch (cheddar, balsamic, charred onion) and let the tomato do the talking.

Best Uses

thick slice-and-eat tomato sandwiches where it won’t turn watery
grilled or slow-roasted wedges for jammy edges and smoky perfume
chunky spoonable tomato salsa with minimal seeding/juice
reduction into a bold, rustic pan sauce for meats and mushrooms

Flavor Profile

smoky-sweet, old-fashioned tomato flavor balanced acidity with a mellow finish meaty, firm-tender flesh with low gel

Kitchen Pairings

black pepper garlic aged cheddar balsamic vinegar olive oil charred onions

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) and what should I do first?

Early blight and Septoria leaf spot are common on tomatoes, especially during warm, humid weather. Remove infected lower leaves, then spray with a labeled protectant fungicide (follow the label) and avoid wetting foliage; water only at the soil line. If plants are heavily affected, remove and discard the worst foliage to slow spread.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during peak growth and fruiting?

During flowering and fruit set (mid-season through harvest), keep soil evenly moist with about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and container size. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than light daily watering, and aim for consistent moisture to reduce blossom-end rot and splitting. Mulch around plants to stabilize moisture and check soil 1 inch (2–3 cm) down before watering.

How can I tell when “Marriage Cherokee Carbon” tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety (dark/ripe shoulder color with a slight softness) and have a strong tomato aroma. The fruit should give slightly when gently squeezed—green shoulders or hard firmness usually mean it needs more days. Expect maturity around ~85 days from transplanting, and pick regularly once ripening starts to keep the plant producing.