Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cherokee Purple in USDA Zone 7
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Cherokee Purple · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | — | August – September |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | July – October |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | — | July – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 8 | January – March | March – May | — | June – November |
| Zone 9 | December – March | February – May | — | May – November |
| Zone 10 | November – March | January – May | — | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start your Cherokee Purple seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Use a quality seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperature around 70-80°F for optimal germination. These seeds typically sprout within 7-14 days, but don't be discouraged if some take longer – heirloom varieties can be less uniform than hybrids.
Prepare your planting site by working 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure into the soil. Cherokee Purple thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) with excellent drainage. Avoid areas where water pools after rain, as this variety is susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases.
Transplant seedlings only after soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Harden off plants gradually over 7-10 days, starting with just 2-3 hours outdoors in filtered light. Space plants 24-30 inches apart – these indeterminate tomatoes need room for their sprawling growth habit.
Install sturdy cages or stakes at planting time, as Cherokee Purple produces heavy fruits that can snap branches. Use 6-foot stakes or heavy-duty cages, as plants often reach 5-6 feet tall. Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto lower leaves.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at transplanting, then switch to a lower-nitrogen formula once flowering begins – too much nitrogen delays fruiting. Side-dress with compost or aged manure every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season.
Water consistently but avoid overhead watering, which promotes disease. Aim for 1-1.5 inches per week, watering deeply at soil level. Inconsistent watering causes blossom end rot and fruit cracking, both common issues with this variety.
Prune suckers regularly to improve air circulation and focus energy on fruit production. Remove lower leaves that touch the soil, and thin dense foliage to prevent humidity buildup that encourages late blight.
Harvesting
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are ready when they develop their signature dusky purple-pink color with deep purple shoulders. Don't wait for them to turn completely red – they're meant to have that distinctive dark coloration. The bottom of ripe fruits shows hints of pink or red, while the shoulders remain dark purple-brown.
Test ripeness by gently pressing the fruit – it should yield slightly to pressure but not feel mushy. A ripe Cherokee Purple feels heavy for its size and has a slight give when gently squeezed. The skin should have a slight sheen and feel smooth, not wrinkled.
Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. Twist the fruit gently while lifting upward, or use clean pruning shears to cut the stem about ¼ inch above the fruit. Never pull tomatoes straight down, as this can damage the vine and reduce future production.
Pick fruits when they're just beginning to soften for longest storage life, or wait until fully ripe for immediate eating. Cherokee Purple continues to ripen after picking, so harvest slightly underripe fruits before the first frost and let them finish ripening indoors.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe Cherokee Purple tomatoes at room temperature for best flavor – refrigeration destroys their complex taste profile. Keep them stem-side down on a counter away from direct sunlight, where they'll maintain quality for 3-5 days.
For longer storage, harvest slightly underripe fruits and place them in a single layer in a cool, dark area around 55-65°F. Check daily and remove any that show signs of decay. Green tomatoes can ripen over several weeks using this method.
Due to Cherokee Purple's low acidity, avoid traditional water-bath canning methods. Instead, freeze sliced tomatoes for cooking applications, or dehydrate them into intensely flavored tomato leather. These tomatoes excel when roasted and frozen in portions, preserving much of their complex flavor for winter soups and sauces. Consider fermenting them into hot sauce or chutney to safely preserve their unique taste while adding probiotic benefits.
History & Origin
Cherokee Purple traces its lineage to Native American tribes of Tennessee, specifically the Cherokee Nation. This heirloom variety was passed down through generations of Cherokee gardeners who selected seeds from the best-tasting fruits each season, gradually developing the variety's distinctive purple coloration and complex flavor profile.
The tomato gained wider recognition in the 1990s when Craig LeHoullier, a tomato enthusiast and seed saver, received seeds from John Green of Sevierville, Tennessee. Green had obtained the variety from his Cherokee neighbors, who had been growing it for generations. LeHoullier introduced Cherokee Purple to the broader gardening community through seed exchanges and heirloom tomato networks.
The variety's purple pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, the same compounds that color blueberries and purple cabbage. This natural coloring not only creates the tomato's striking appearance but also contributes antioxidants that may enhance its nutritional value. Today, Cherokee Purple stands as one of the most popular heirloom varieties, representing both exceptional flavor and an important piece of American agricultural heritage that connects modern gardeners to indigenous farming traditions.
Advantages
- +Exceptional complex flavor with sweet, smoky, and earthy notes that many consider the gold standard for heirloom taste
- +Distinctive dusky purple-pink coloration creates stunning visual appeal in dishes and gardens
- +Large beefsteak-type fruits typically weigh 10-12 ounces, perfect for slicing
- +Indeterminate growth habit provides continuous harvest from midsummer through first frost
- +Rich cultural heritage connects gardeners to Native American agricultural traditions
- +Excellent fresh eating quality with perfect balance of sweetness and acidity
- +Strong, vigorous plants that perform well in various climatic conditions
Considerations
- -Susceptible to late blight and other common tomato diseases due to limited disease resistance
- -Prone to fruit cracking, especially during periods of irregular watering
- -Longer maturity time (80-90 days) may be challenging in short-season areas
- -Low acidity makes fruits unsuitable for safe water-bath canning
- -Requires consistent staking or caging due to heavy fruit load and tall growth habit
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and repels hornworms and other tomato pests
Carrots
Help break up soil for tomato roots, don't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel whiteflies
Oregano
Repels many insects and may enhance tomato growth and flavor
Lettuce
Provides living mulch, doesn't compete heavily for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance typical of heirlooms. Susceptible to late blight and cracking.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot