Candyland Red

Family: Solanaceae Vegetable

Sweet, candy-bright bursts of flavor—Candyland Red currant tomatoes ripen to a glossy, ruby-red that tastes intensely sweet with a crisp, juicy snap.

These petite fruits are wonderfully tender and aromatic, perfect for snacking straight from the vine or for adding vivid color to fresh salads and quick, vibrant sauces. Grow them for a compact, productive habit that turns your garden into a living tangle of jewel-like clusters in about 60 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Determinate

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	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

These currant-size tomatoes are all about that crisp, water-snap and immediate sweetness—best treated lightly so they don’t overcook into mush. Blister them or chiffonade them through salads, then let a little salt and fat (burrata/olive oil) catch and hold all that ruby juice on your tongue.

Best Uses

straight-from-the-vine snacking, so the juice doesn’t get lost
tossed into salads where the skins stay lively under light vinaigrette
quick, high-heat blistering to concentrate sweetness without turning them hollow
fast cherry-tomato pan sauces where they pop and emulsify into a glossy finish

Flavor Profile

intensely sweet, candy-bright flavor crisp, juicy snap with tender bite glossy ruby aromatics gentle tomato tang that stays in the background

Kitchen Pairings

burrata fresh mozzarella aged balsamic vinegar olive oil sea salt & flaky salt fresh mint

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum lycopersicum (candy-type tomato), and how do I control it?

Tomato hornworms and early blight are common on Solanum lycopersicum. Check leaves and stems every few days for hornworms (large green/black caterpillars) and remove them by hand, then destroy infested material; for early blight (brown concentric spots), remove affected lower leaves and spray a labeled biofungicide or fungicide early, before spots spread upward.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase to avoid problems like cracking or blossom-end rot?

During active flowering and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base so moisture reaches the root zone, aiming for steady moisture swings (uneven watering increases fruit cracking and blossom-end rot risk).

How can I tell when Candyland Red tomatoes are ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (deep red) and give slightly when gently squeezed—no green shoulder near the stem. If the tomato releases with a light twist from the vine and the interior is juicy, it’s ready; pick regularly once mature to keep the plant producing.