Cherokee Purple Tomato: A Flavorful Heirloom Gem for Your Garden
Discover the Cherokee Purple tomato, an heirloom variety that stands out with its rich flavor and unique appearance. This medium to large fruit matures in approximately 80 days, offering gardeners a rewarding harvest of dusky pink tomatoes with distinctive dark shoulders. Originating from Tennessee, this variety is believed to have been cultivated by Cherokee Native Americans, adding a touch of history to your garden.
The Cherokee Purple tomato is prized for its exceptional taste, often described as sweet, rich, and complex. Its robust flavor profile makes it ideal for fresh eating, whether sliced for sandwiches or diced in salads. The fruit’s unusual coloration, ranging from dusky rose to purple-brown, adds visual interest to any dish. Gardeners and chefs alike appreciate the Cherokee Purple for its meaty texture and minimal seeds, perfect for creating flavorful sauces or as a standout ingredient in gourmet recipes.
These indeterminate plants grow to a height of about 36 inches, requiring sturdy support as they continue to produce throughout the growing season. Plant your Cherokee Purple tomatoes with 36-inch spacing to ensure adequate air circulation and sunlight exposure. The vines are known for their productivity, yielding a bountiful harvest of 10 to 12-ounce fruits. For optimal flavor, allow the tomatoes to ripen fully on the vine before harvesting.
Growing Success Tips:
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date
- Provide full sun and well-draining, fertile soil
- Use stakes or cages for support as plants grow
- Water consistently, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged
The Cherokee Purple tomato offers a unique combination of flavor, color, and history that will elevate your home garden and culinary creations. Its status as an heirloom variety ensures you can save seeds for future seasons, allowing you to enjoy this exceptional tomato year after year.
Tip: Mulch around the base of your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Product Features
- Heirloom variety with rich, complex flavor
- Medium to large fruits (10-12 oz)
- Dusky pink color with dark shoulders
- Indeterminate growth habit
- Days to maturity: 80
- Plant spacing: 36 inches
- Plant height: 36 inches
- Full sun requirement
- Well-draining, fertile soil
Key Benefits
- Exceptional taste for fresh eating and cooking
- Unique appearance adds visual interest to dishes
- Meaty texture with minimal seeds
- Open-pollinated for seed saving
