Grown Cherokee Purple?

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Cherokee Purple — Tomatoes | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Cherokee Purple
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

72days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed and soil is at least 60°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Rich, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.2-6.8
Spacing: 24-36 inches
Height: 1-10 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark purple-pink with green shoulders
Size: 8-12 oz.
Shape: Indeterminate
Flavour: Rich, sweet, and smoky with complex earthy undertones

In the kitchen

Fresh slicing, sandwiches, salads, BLTs. Not ideal for canning due to low acidity.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles
Diseases: Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot
Resistance: Limited disease resistance typical of heirlooms. Susceptible to late blight and cracking.

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	May	July – August	—	September – August
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor

MarigoldDeters nematodes and repels hornworms and other tomato pests

CarrotsHelp break up soil for tomato roots, don't compete for nutrients

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests

ChivesRepels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases

NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel whiteflies

OreganoRepels many insects and may enhance tomato growth and flavor

LettuceProvides living mulch, doesn't compete heavily for nutrients

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting

FennelInhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds

BrassicasCompete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth

CornBoth attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 0.83
Fat (g): 0.63
Carbohydrate (g): 5.51
Fibre (g): 2.1
Vitamin C (mg): 27.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.98
Vitamin K (µg): 4.2
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.06
Folate (µg): 10
Calcium (mg): 11
Iron (mg): 0.33
Magnesium (mg): 11.9
Phosphorus (mg): 28
Potassium (mg): 260
Zinc (mg): 0.2

Next →Better Boy

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the tomatoes growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Cherokee Purple?

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