90 days. Winner of the 2005 “Heirloom Garden Show” best-tasting tomato award. These have won taste awards coast to coast in the last few years, so we were proud to locate a small supply of seed. The fruit is smooth, large, and beautiful, being one of the darkest and prettiest of the purple types we have seen. They seem to have an extra dose of the complex flavor that makes dark tomatoes famous.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/8 inch
• Plant Spacing: 24″
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum lycopersicum

Growing Tips: Start indoors in mid August then transfer oustide at the begining of October.

Minimum Seed Count: 25

“Description courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds/rareseeds.com “.

Description

Carbon Tomato is a dark “black” heirloom beefsteak variety with deep purple to dark-red skin and a brick-red, meaty interior. Its rich, balanced flavor offers sweet, smokey, and complex notes—ideal for slicing. Fruits weigh between 280–425 g (10–14 oz). The plant is indeterminate, vigorous, and noticeably productive while resisting cracking better than many other black heirlooms.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Start Indoors: Begin seeds early to mid‑August, warming the soil to at least 24 °C to ensure strong germination.

• Transplant Outdoors: Move seedlings outdoors in early October, once nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 15 °C.

• Direct Sowing: You may also sow seeds directly outdoors in early October, provided the soil is warm, well-prepared, and frost risk has passed.

This timing aligns well with the UAE’s cooler season, supporting robust growth and extended harvesting.

Growing Timeline

• Harvest Ready: Expect to harvest 80 days after transplanting.

Planting & Care Tips

• Sunlight & Soil: Select a full-sun site (6–8 hrs/day) with fertile, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.

• Planting & Support: Bury seedlings deeply to first true leaves to encourage robust roots. Use sturdy cages or stakes as vines can become tall and heavy.

• Spacing: Space plants 45–60 cm apart, with 90 cm between rows to ensure good airflow and reduce disease risk.

• Watering: Maintain even soil moisture—use mulch to preserve water and help prevent fruit cracking.

• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting. Once flowering begins, favor phosphorus and potassium while limiting nitrogen to promote fruit development.

• Harvesting: Pick fruits when fully colored and slightly soft to touch—regular harvesting encourages continued productivity.