Black Cherry Tomato

I first discovered black cherry tomatoes years ago, when I lived in New England but I could never get them to grow once I moved to the Southwest. With these seeds, I had my very first batch make it to fruit! I planted as seedlings indoors in July hoping to plant in September but a massive heat wave - temps over 100 up until nearly Halloween! - delayed these going into pots until end of October. I babied them by covering on the few nights we had temps at 32 or below and was rewarded with some plump, 1-inch+ sweet fruit. Sweet, chocolate brown color great in salads, as a snack or into salsa.

I've grown Black Cherry both in S Florida and then here in E Tennessee -- it's a winner in both places! This is one of the very few tomatoes that my husband asks me to grow every year. I gave some seeds to a friend of mine -- and he says he will never not grow Black Cherry! This is a very vigorous plant. I've grown it in 10, 15 and 20 gallon grow bags, as well as in the ground (heavy clay soil). Every way, the plants grew...and grew...and grew. This past year, I grew it in a 20 gallon grow bag, with a heavy-duty 6' tomato cage. It proceeded to grow up and over the top, cascaded back down and then crept along the ground. It probably ended up around 13' long. (Yes, I should have topped it, but I was curious how big it would get.) In the photo I attached, the plant was only about 2 months after transplant, and it's already over the opt of the tomato cage (which you have to look very closely at to see). The flavor of these little delights is rich and full, like the best of the large black or purple heirlooms - just in a small cherry size. A little slow to start producing fruit compared to some other cherry varieties, but once it starts, it's extremely productive. It produces lots of fruit, but they will split quite a bit if they get hit with a lot of water fast (think heavy rainstorm) when they are close to being ripe. So if I know heavy rain is in the forecast, I just pick all the almost ripe ones and bring them inside - they will ripen well on the counter. Now my wish is that the Dwarf Tomato Project would develop a Black Cherry look and taste alike that maybe only grew 4 or 5 feet. Oh well, this growing season I'll just have to top my plant.

Black Cherry is a fast growing plant than can get large fairly quickly. This, in turn, leads to many flower clusters and, further down the line, a significant yield of purple-fruited cherry tomatoes; it also has a pretty good flavor profile. It handled the extreme weather shifts I saw in 2021 quite well. Add it all up and you have a really good choice for most gardens and gardeners.

These grew better the several other tomato varieties from different sources that I planted this year. The plants were hardy and vigorous when others suffered from our long, dry summer. The vines rambled quite a lot and I ended up using plenty of stakes for support. As far as flavor goes, these were a favorite of our family and friends. They are sweet and smoky like a Cherokee Purple. Great for eating fresh off the vine or tossing into a skillet as a last minute addition. I had so many fruit from five plants that I froze or preserved about five gallons of them at the end of the summer and could have had more. I'll definitely grow them again next year!

Wonderful flavor, heat tolerant and prolific producer, excellent for sun dried tomatoes. Not very pest resistant. Plants quickly overgrew usual tomato stakes and needed lots of reinforcement; next time I will trellis next to my beans.

I just had my first 'Black Cherry' tomato and it was so good. Sweet and tangy. The vines grew so fast, I'll have to start it a little later next year.

I probably only got to eat about five of these all summer long because my kids ate them, sometimes before they were fully ripe :D They are very tasty and very productive.

Planted several different varieties of tomato, and so far this one is by far the best tasting. Sweet, but not overpoweringly so. I live near the Puget Sound, and these did not ripe until mid August, but were absolutely worth the wait. Will be planting these every year going forward. They were also avoided by the tomato worms that attacked some of my other heirlooms, so that was just an extra bonus.

Eating the first of our Black Cherry tomatoes and they're definitely a treat! If you didn't know better you'd think they were a Chocolate Champion or Rosella Purple tomato. Everyone loves them! We have five plants. Three are in a seven gallon grow bag and two are in the ground. All are eight plus feet tall and have hundreds of tomatoes!!!

Started extras in case they didn't germinate. All my seeds germinated so I was giving away seedlings. Planted in 3 different micro climate locations-- 2 in ground, one in a big pot. All were prolific and delicious. Even people who don't like tomatoes loved them. Friends with part-sun yards or balconies are thinking of trying to grow them. Can't just eat one.

Oh be careful! This tiny wonder is totally addicting. Once you grow them, you'll never want your garden to be without at least one of these glorious plants. It is very very productive. Can't rightly remember if I've grown it 3 or 4 years, but wow - every year it has amazed us. The fruit is enchanting - a lovely color and outstanding taste. Support it well, as the fruit is heavy and the vines can get quite long.

This is the one that was eaten first and it is the favorite of everyone that tried it. This will be planted every year from now on. Great tomato.

very nice cherry tomato! great taste juicy sweet and a fun color!