The Cherokee Purple tomato, an esteemed heirloom variety, is celebrated among gardeners for its complex, rich flavor profile and strikingly distinctive color. This large, beefsteak-type tomato ripens to a dusky, reddish-purple hue, often displaying green shoulders that add to its visual appeal. Its sweet, smoky taste and juicy, meaty texture make it a highly sought-after addition for fresh eating in salads and sandwiches.
Preparing for Planting
Successful cultivation of this heirloom begins with providing an ideal growing environment. Seeds should be started indoors approximately six to eight weeks before the last anticipated frost date to allow for a long growing season. Ensure the planting location receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily, as this variety requires full sun exposure for optimal growth and fruit production.
Cherokee Purple tomatoes thrive in well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Amending the planting bed with compost or aged manure before transplanting ensures a healthy nutrient supply, as these plants are heavy feeders. The preferred soil acidity is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 being most productive for nutrient uptake.
Transplanting and Establishing Support
Before moving young plants into the garden, they must undergo hardening off, which gradually acclimates them to outdoor conditions, including direct sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Over one to two weeks, slowly increase the time the seedlings spend outside, starting with a few hours in a sheltered spot and eventually exposing them to full sun and overnight temperatures above 50°F. This process prevents transplant shock and sunscald.
When transplanting, utilize the deep planting technique to encourage a robust root system, as tomatoes sprout new roots along their buried stems. Remove all leaves and side shoots from the lower two-thirds of the stem and bury the plant so only the top few sets of leaves remain above the soil line. Because the Cherokee Purple is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues to produce fruit until frost, it requires immediate and strong support. Heavy-duty cages or sturdy stakes should be installed at the time of planting to avoid later root damage and support the vines, which can grow six to nine feet tall.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Consistent and deep watering is necessary for the health of Cherokee Purple plants throughout the growing season. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged, which promotes deep root growth and prevents issues like blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Allowing the top two inches of soil to dry slightly before watering again helps maintain this balance, preventing drought stress and fungal diseases.
As heavy feeders, these tomatoes benefit from a regular fertilization schedule to sustain their extended fruit production. Begin with a balanced fertilizer after the plants are established, then transition to a formula with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium once the first fruits begin to set. This nutrient shift directs energy toward the development and ripening of large, flavorful tomatoes rather than excessive leafy growth. Applying a balanced fertilizer monthly or using a slow-release organic blend ensures a steady nutrient supply.
Strategic pruning is necessary for this vigorous, vining variety to manage growth and maximize fruit quality. Removing suckers—the small shoots that emerge in the crotch between the main stem and a leaf branch—is a common practice. Removing suckers improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases, and directs energy into the main stems and developing fruit clusters. Leaving some foliage is important, however, as the leaves provide shade to prevent the large fruits from developing sunscald during hot weather.
Knowing When to Harvest
Determining the ripeness of the Cherokee Purple tomato requires inspecting both its visual and tactile characteristics, as its dark coloring can be misleading. The fruit is ready for picking when the bottom half deepens to a rich, dusky reddish-purple color. The shoulders, where the fruit connects to the vine, naturally retain a slightly greenish or brownish hue even when fully ripe, which is a signature trait of the variety.
Tactile cues offer the most reliable confirmation of ripeness, as the fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure. A fully ripe Cherokee Purple will feel softer than an unripe tomato, but it should not be mushy. To harvest, use a clean pair of shears or twist the tomato gently at the joint where the stem meets the vine, avoiding damage to the plant or the fruit.