Cherokee Purple tomatoes flourish in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Make sure that the plants receive 6-8 hours of full sun daily. Water often, keeping an even soil moisture but avoid waterlogging to prevent diseases like blossom-end rot.

Start seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last expected frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 F. This usually means late spring to early summer; however, we recommend you to check your local area’s frost dates for a specific planting time. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post "Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources."

Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep in a nutrient-rich seed-starting mix. Ideally, the soil should be at a temperature of 70-80 F during germination, you can use a heat mat to help with this. Before moving the seedlings outdoors, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week. Space plants 24 inches apart in the garden for proper air circulation.

• Most tomatoes are self-pollinating and don't frequently cross; in a garden setting, separating by 25 feet should prevent 99% of cross-pollination. Or you can bag and hand pollinate for 100% purity.
• On a small scale, seeds may be scooped from the fruits and dried on a paper towel.
• For larger quantities or cleaner seeds, fermentation for a few days is recommended.
• Once dry, tomato seed can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place; good seed retains viability for 5 years or more.