How to Grow Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Green'
Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green is a vibrant green tomato variety cherished for its unique flavor and historical significance. Gardeners prize this warm-season crop for its reliable production of large, meaty fruits that offer a distinct taste profile compared to standard red tomatoes.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors; plant seeds directly outdoors only after the last spring frost has passed and soil temperatures are warm enough to prevent shock.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil by ensuring it has a pH between 6.2 and 6.8, rich in organic matter. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date when nights are still cool. Sow seeds one-quarter inch deep into seed-starting mix; they typically germinate within 7 to 14 days once soil temperatures rise sufficiently.
Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart in full sun. Install a sturdy cage or trellis early, as this indeterminate variety can reach heights of one to ten feet and produces heavy fruit. Water consistently to maintain high moisture levels, avoiding wet foliage. Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil temperature and feed with balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and flea beetles; use hand-picking or insecticidal soap for control. Prevent late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, and bacterial speck by rotating crops and ensuring good air circulation. Harvest fruits 85 to 95 days after transplanting when they reach full size and deep green color.
When to Plant Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | October – September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 11 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 12 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 13 | January | — | May – July |
Companion Plants for Heirloom Marriage Cherokee Green
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Repels hornworms and attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Provides ground cover and utilizes space efficiently without root competition
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters whiteflies
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted nearby
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
