Tomato Seeds - Cherokee Purple Slicing Tomato - Lycopersicon esculentum

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11 - Grows as a warm-season annual across all zones. Planting times are adjusted based on local frost dates to ensure a long enough growing season.

Best performance in Zones 4-9 where long, warm summers provide the ideal conditions for these large tomatoes to develop their signature rich flavor and achieve maximum production.

Northern Zones (2-5) - Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost is essential. This variety requires a longer season to mature (80-90 days from transplant), so giving it a head start is critical for a successful harvest.

Hot Climate Zones (9-11) - Plant in very early spring for an early summer harvest before the peak heat arrives. Fruit set can be poor when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 75 degrees F. A second crop can often be planted in late summer for a fall harvest as temperatures cool.

Soil Temperature - Requires warm soil of at least 65F for germination, with optimal soil temperatures between 75-85F for quick sprouting and strong seedling establishment.

Growing Season - Requires a long, warm, and sunny season of at least 80-90 frost-free days after being transplanted to the garden for full fruit production.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. Do not plant outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures are consistently in the 60s F and the soil has warmed.

Where to Plant:
Choose the sunniest spot in your garden; tomatoes require full sun (at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day). Plant in rich, well-drained soil. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting is highly recommended.

How to Plant:

Start Indoors: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the soil moist and very warm (75-85 degrees F). A heat mat will significantly improve germination rates.

Provide Light: Once seedlings emerge, provide strong, direct light for 14-16 hours a day (a grow light is best) to prevent them from becoming tall and leggy.

Harden Off: Before transplanting to the garden, you must acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions. Do this over 7-10 days by gradually increasing their exposure to sun and wind.

Transplant Outdoors: When transplanting, dig a deep hole and plant the seedling so that the bottom two-thirds of the stem is buried. This practice encourages a much stronger root system. Space plants 24-36 inches apart.

Care & Maintenance:

Support is Essential: Cherokee Purple is an indeterminate (vining) tomato. You must provide a tall, strong stake, cage, or trellis for the plant to climb. This keeps fruit off the ground and improves air circulation.

Watering: Water deeply and consistently, aiming for 1-2 inches of water per week. Irregular watering can lead to blossom-end rot and cracked fruit. Use a soaker hose or water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent disease.

Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (straw, shredded leaves) to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto the leaves.

Fertilizing: Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Feed with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer until the first flowers appear. Then, switch to a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus and potassium (the last two numbers on the N-P-K ratio) to promote fruit production rather than leafy growth.

Harvesting: Harvest when the fruits are a deep, dusky pinkish-purple and are slightly soft when gently squeezed. The "shoulders" near the stem may remain green or olive-colored even when the tomato is perfectly ripe and at its peak flavor.