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80 Seeds
Add another ugly tomato to your eyesore list, with Cherokee Purple. But don't let its appearance fool you, these hideous fruits boast a deliciously sweet flavored flesh. The Cherokee Purple Tomato is grown from freshly harvested Solanum lycopersicum seeds, producing fruits in about 75 to 90 days from transplanting. The dark, burgundy-red, almost brown fruits will weigh anywhere between 10 to 12 ounces.
Tomato plants in general grow to a mature height of anywhere from 36 to 48 inches tall. They are categorized as annuals, meaning the plants will grow quickly from seed, produce beefsteak like tomatoes through the summer months and later die with the first frost. Cherokee Purple Tomatoes are perfect for slicing, eating as a snack with a bit of salt, or adding to a sandwich or burger as well.
Tomatoes have a number of health benefits and are proven to reduce your risk of cancer, including prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. They are also known to combat diabetes, lower blood pressure, aid in heart health, as well as boost your mood & tame depression. They can be enjoyed in a number of ways as explained above, by eating them with burgers, sandwiches and more. You may find this article helpful in adding a variety of tomatoes into your diet. You will also notice some of the benefits that are listed here, as well as additional benefits & nutritional information.
Quick Facts
- Type: Tomato
- Heirloom: Yes
- Color: Dark Red / Brown
- Height: 4' Tall
- Harvest: 75 to 90 Days
- Fruit Size: 10 oz. - 12 oz.
- Environment: Full Sun
Sowing The Seed
For many Northern gardeners, tomatoes are best established indoors, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Start in peat pots, sowing each seed at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. The use of small stakes is recommended to support the plants as they grow. When the weather is warm & all danger of frost has passed, transplant or direct sow your tomatoes outdoors. The continued use of stakes will benefit a healthy tomato plant.
Growing Conditions
Tomatoes will thrive in an area of full sunlight with temperatures of at least 60F or higher. They prefer a rich soil, that is filled with organic matter. Make sure that the sowing medium is also well drained, as this is very important for a healthy root structure. Adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil, can increase drainage. Water daily with a light moisture setting to avoid drowing the seedlings.
Germination & Growth
Your tomato seeds will begin to germinate in roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants themselves will grow to a mature height of up to 4 feet tall and can grow up to 3 feet wide. Tomato plants will need a fair amount of area to grow and can be spaced about 36 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 36 inches apart. Stakes & supports are crucial to growing tomato plants, since the fruits are very heavy.
Harvesting Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes can be harvested in about 75 to 90 days after transplanting. The plants will produce green fruits that can be picked once they are ripe, burgundy-red to almost brown. Simply pick the fruits that you desire from the vines, gently removing them to avoid damaging the plants. Cherokee Purple will produce multiple fruits all summer long.
