Darby Red & Yellow

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sun-warmed stripes of Darby Red & Yellow burst with a sweet, balanced tomato tang—vivid red shoulders melting into golden yellow highlights for a flavor that feels bright and juicy.

The flesh is firm yet tender, with a classic slicing texture that holds its shape beautifully from garden to platter, making it a standout for fresh showcases and vibrant sauces. Grow this 75-day slicing favorite for a striking, high-contrast harvest that tastes as good as it looks.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Darby Red & Yellow

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	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	8

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is a slicing tomato built for presentation: the firm yet tender flesh holds its shape, while the sweet-balanced tang stays vivid instead of going flat. Use it where you can taste contrast—hot salt on warm bread, or a quick pan sauce that grabs onto the pulp without thinning it out.

Best Uses

thick slices on sourdough with flaky salt so the stripes stay intact
short-stewed pan sauce that keeps the pulp chunky rather than watery
fresh tomato-and-feta salad where it won’t collapse under vinaigrette

Flavor Profile

sweet, bright tomato tang firm-meets-tender slicing flesh high-juiciness with clean acidity

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil aged balsamic vinegar feta mozzarella whitefish

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes) and how can I treat it at home?

Early blight (Alternaria) and Septoria leaf spot are common on tomatoes, showing as brown spots on older leaves that spread and can cause leaf drop. Remove affected leaves immediately, keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line, and spray a labeled fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb if the weather stays humid. If you see stems or fruits with gray, fuzzy rot, improve airflow and remove infected fruits to stop spread.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase?

During active fruit growth, aim for evenly moist soil with about 1–2 inches of water per week, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly rather than light daily watering, so the root zone stays consistently wet but not soggy. If blossoms drop or leaves curl, check for uneven moisture and mulch to reduce fast drying.

How can I tell when Darby Red & Yellow tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and the skin shows a uniform ripe color for your variety, with a slight give when gently squeezed. Avoid waiting for over-soft fruit; tomatoes can crack if rains or irregular watering follow dry spells. For best flavor, pick in the cool part of the day and let them finish ripening indoors if they picked slightly early.