Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon to a garden.

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

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Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Carbon 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 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – 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	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.