Sow indoors March through April approximately six to eight weeks before planned transplanting. Place seed 0.5 cm deep, maintain 21–27°C, and keep mix moist; emergence generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot seedlings up, and harden gradually. Transplant only after last frost once soil is warm and nights are sufficiently mild.
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Indeterminate heirloom beefsteak-type tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Carbon’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Carbon’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Carbon’
Organic heirloom open-pollinated indeterminate tomato producing large dark reddish-brown to purple fruit with dense juicy flavourful flesh.
Quantity
About 30 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Carbon
Type
Indeterminate heirloom beefsteak-type tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Carbon’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Carbon’) is an organic heirloom open-pollinated indeterminate beefsteak-type variety. It produces large dark reddish-brown to purple fruit with dense juicy full-flavoured flesh. Rich balanced complex flavour suits salads fresh slices sandwiches and tasting platters. The workbook lists approximately 30 seeds, height of 1.8–2.1 m, spread of 60 cm, and harvest 75–85 days after transplanting.
Sow indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture; germination generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot up once true leaves develop, then harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun with six to eight hours of direct light into deep fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Install a sturdy cage or stake immediately.
Water deeply and consistently at soil level without saturating the ground, then mulch once it is warm. Tie stems and support heavy fruit throughout summer. Monitor cracking blossom-end rot insects and foliar disease. Harvest when fruit has developed its characteristic dark colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Colour varies with maturity and sunlight. Pick before frost and discard mouldy slimy deeply split or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate indeterminate growth and air circulation.
Establishment temperature
21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F)
Establishment time
7 to 14 days
Best planting time
Indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow Carbon indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture until emergence in 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. Transplant after frost into deep fertile organic-rich drained soil in full sun. Space near 60 cm, immediately install a sturdy cage, water at soil level, and mulch. Harvest in 75–85 days once fruit develops its characteristic dark colour.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10°C (50°F)
Watering
Water deeply at soil level when the top three to five centimetres begin to dry while maintaining moisture as evenly as possible. Alternating drought and heavy watering encourages cracking and may contribute to blossom-end rot while constantly waterlogged soil suffocates roots and increases disease. Water in the morning without unnecessarily wetting foliage then mulch once soil warms. During fruit set and sizing avoid prolonged water stress. In a large container check moisture daily during hot weather without leaving standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep fertile loose well-drained organic-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0–6.8. Incorporate mature compost before transplanting while avoiding fresh manure and excess nitrogen that produces leaves at the expense of fruit. Work soil when neither sticky nor dusty and do not compact the root zone. Even moisture and adequate calcium reserves support healthy fruiting without automatic calcium additions unless testing supports them. Rotate three or four years away from tomatoes peppers eggplants and potatoes.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before transplanting then base later feeding on a soil test or the label of a balanced fruiting-vegetable fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes very vigorous stems and leaves but delays flowering and ripening. After fruit set balanced nutrition including potassium and phosphorus may support fruiting without exceeding label rates. Never place concentrated fertilizer against roots and water after application. In containers split a dilute solution rather than using one strong dose. No calcium supplement replaces even watering or a test confirming deficiency.
Seasonal care
In spring sow indoors six to eight weeks before last frost and provide intense light immediately after emergence. Pot up once true leaves develop then gradually harden. In summer tie stems and support heavy clusters with a strong cage or trellis. Water deeply at soil level, maintain clean mulch, and remove only diseased leaves or those touching soil. Monitor cracking blossom-end rot aphids and foliar diseases. Harvest red fruit as it ripens. In fall pick before frost, remove plants, and plan a three-to-four-year rotation.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
50 to 75 L; container 45 to 60 cm wide
Choose a very stable 50–75 L container at least 45–60 cm deep and wide with several drainage holes. Fill with airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost. At planting install a very strong cage or stake capable of supporting a 1.8–2.1 m indeterminate plant and heavy large fruit. Place in full sun, water slowly when the surface begins to dry, and never leave the pot in a water-filled saucer. Mulch lightly, feed moderately for fruiting vegetables, tie stems, and check moisture daily during hot weather.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in Quebec
Growth rate
Vigorous during the warm season
Bloom period
Small yellow flowers in successive clusters through the warm season
Fruiting
Large dense juicy dark reddish-brown to purple fruit produced through summer
Harvest
Harvest 75–85 days after transplanting once large fruit has developed dark reddish-brown to purple colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Colour may vary with maturity and sunlight. Support the fruit with one hand and cut its stem with a clean tool. Pick progressively because the indeterminate plant continues producing. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard deeply split mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil and early lettuce can occupy nearby space when light, water, air circulation, and root room remain sufficient.
Avoid planting with
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Salads fresh slices sandwiches tasting platters and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Carbon tomato platter — Rinse one sound fruit and cut into thick slices. Arrange with basil a drizzle of olive oil and a small pinch of salt then serve promptly to appreciate its rich complex flavour. Keep ingredients cold before preparation and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
The workbook confirms indeterminate growth. The plant therefore continues growing and fruiting until cold nights rather than concentrating harvest in a short period. At transplanting install a tall cage trellis or very strong stake and tie stems with soft ties. Listed height is 1.8–2.1 m and large fruit requires particularly sturdy support.
Generally harvest around 75 to 85 days after transplanting once fruit has developed dark reddish-brown to purple colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. A green area may remain at the shoulders and colour varies with sunlight. Support each fruit and cut the stem with a clean tool. Pick progressively, bring developed fruit indoors before frost, and discard mouldy slimy or deeply split fruit.
Yes but use a very stable 50–75 L container 45–60 cm deep and wide with excellent drainage. Install very strong support at planting for a 1.8–2.1 m plant and heavy fruit. Place in full sun, check moisture daily during hot weather, water deeply without standing water, and feed lightly according to a fruiting-vegetable fertilizer label.
Yes. The workbook identifies this variety as heirloom and open-pollinated. To reduce crossing isolate blossoms intended for seed or adequately separate cultivars. Choose a healthy typical fruit, let it fully ripen, collect seed and gel, then follow a recognized fermentation rinsing and complete drying method. Label with cultivar and year. Do not use diseased or atypical fruit as a seed source.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
