Sow indoors February 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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Large-fruited indeterminate heirloom tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Cherokee Purple’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Cherokee Purple’
Organic heirloom indeterminate tomato producing large slightly flattened reddish-brown purple fruit with dense juicy flavourful flesh.
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Cherokee Purple
Type
Large-fruited indeterminate heirloom tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Cherokee Purple’) is an organic heirloom indeterminate variety celebrated for large slightly flattened reddish-brown purple fruit. Dense juicy abundant flesh develops rich complex mildly sweet flavour prized for fresh tasting. The workbook confirms height of 1.8–2.1 m and maturity 75–85 days after transplanting. It suits salads sandwiches fresh slices and summer plates.
Sow indoors February 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 into deep fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Install a sturdy cage or stake immediately to support stems and large fruit.
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 reddish-brown purple 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 Cherokee Purple indoors February 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. Immediately install a sturdy cage, water at soil level, and mulch. Support heavy fruit and harvest 75–85 days after transplanting.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
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.
Choose a large very stable deep wide container with several drainage holes; exact size is not confirmed in the workbook. Fill with airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost. At planting install a sturdy 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, never leave the container in standing water, mulch lightly, feed moderately, 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 reddish-brown purple fruit produced through summer
Harvest
Harvest 75–85 days after transplanting once large fruit has developed characteristic reddish-brown 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 sandwiches fresh slices summer plates and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Cherokee Purple tomato sandwich — Rinse one sound fruit and cut into thick slices. Layer on toasted bread with basil and a light spread then season immediately before serving. Let slices drain briefly to limit excess juice. Keep ingredients cold 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 reddish-brown 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. The workbook indicates culture in a large deep container is possible without confirming exact dimensions. Use a very stable container with several drainage holes and airy compost-enriched mix. Install sturdy support at planting for the 1.8–2.1 m plant and large fruit. Place in full sun, check moisture daily during hot weather, water deeply without standing water, and feed lightly according to label directions.
At transplanting install a tall cage trellis or sturdy stake because indeterminate growth reaches approximately 1.8–2.1 m and large fruit becomes heavy. Tie stems with soft ties, add ties as growth continues, and support loaded clusters when needed. Check that ties do not constrict stems. After strong winds straighten the support and remove only broken or diseased growth with a clean tool.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
