Last year, I had great success with cherry tomatoes in my suntrap yard in London, but my salad tomatoes struggled and didn't ripen well. I'm considering growing Cherokee Purples this year, but I'm concerned I might not get many ripe tomatoes. Would Black Cherry be a better option for me instead? Has anyone tried either of these varieties? I'd love to hear your experiences!
2 Answers
I think it really depends on why your tomatoes struggled last year. Did they not get enough sun, or did you have any blight? In London, you should be able to grow both without issues. Just a heads up, Cherokee Purple and Black Cherry have very different flavors. Black Cherry is sweet and a bit tangy, while Cherokee Purple is more savory. Personally, I love having both in my garden!
I get the struggle—I have limited sun here in Oregon too! Black Cherry tomatoes would probably be a solid choice for you. If you're open to something bigger, though, consider early ripening tomatoes like Glacier, Siberia or even Early Girl. My Yellow Taxi does well when conditions are tough, and Thai Pink Egg has been good for cooking even if they’re less sweet!
They only got about 5-6 hours of full sun each day, and it was a pretty poor summer overall. I planted them by mid-May, and while they grew well, they seemed to set fruit late. I only have room for two plants, so that’s why I’m weighing my options between yield and flavor.