Eva Purple Ball

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into Eva Purple Ball’s velvety, smoky-sweet flavor—an alluring balance of rich, rosy fruit notes with a gentle, earthy depth.

At maturity, its compact, globe-shaped slices reveal a dramatic mahogany-purple interior with a smooth, juicy bite and a tender, seed-studded texture that shines in fresh salads and vibrant sauces. Grow this 75-day slicing standout for a garden-to-table centerpiece that looks as extraordinary as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Eva Purple Ball

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is the kind of slicing tomato that earns the knife work—its tender, seed-studded interior turns silky instead of watery, with a smoky-sweet edge that stands up to heat. Slice it thick and treat it gently: a quick reduction or a light dressing lets the purple mahogany flavor come through, not get masked.

Best Uses

thick slices for a heavy sourdough sandwich that holds together without turning watery
fresh salads where the mahogany interior stays glossy and juicy under vinaigrette
quick, vibrant pan sauces (just enough reduction to concentrate without dulling the rosy notes)
chopped salsa-like topping for grilled fish or chicken

Flavor Profile

velvety smoky-sweet tomato flavor rosy fruit notes with gentle earthy depth tender, seed-studded juicy bite

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic black pepper feta balsamic vinegar mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum lycopersicum (Eva Purple Ball tomato), and how do I treat it?

Watch for early blight and Septoria leaf spot—both show up as dark spots on older leaves and can spread quickly in humid weather. Remove and discard affected lower leaves, then spray preventatively with a copper-based fungicide according to the label and avoid wetting foliage when you water. If you see wilt progressing from lower leaves, check for soil-borne issues and remove severely affected plants to reduce spread.

How often should I water Eva Purple Ball tomatoes during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During active flowering and fruit set (roughly mid-season), water deeply 2–3 times per week so the root zone gets evenly moist. Aim for soil that stays consistently damp but not soggy—if the top 1 inch of soil dries out, water again. Mulch around the plants to reduce rapid drying, which helps prevent cracking and blossom-end rot.

How can I tell when Eva Purple Ball tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is fully colored for this variety (deep purplish-red/near-burgundy with a firm, smooth skin) and gives slightly to gentle pressure. Size alone isn’t reliable, so rely on color + a “ready” firmness at about 75 days from transplant. If nights are cool, you may get better flavor by harvesting at full color rather than waiting for maximum softness.