Tennessee Red

Family: Fabaceae Vegetable

Rich, earthy-sweet flavor with a pleasantly nutty depth—Tennessee Red peanuts bring a warm, roasted aroma even before the first shell cracks.

At maturity, the pods hold firm, medium kernels wrapped in a distinctive reddish skin that delivers a satisfying crunch and a clean, savory finish. Ideal for home roasting and for creating bold peanut spreads and robust sauces, Tennessee Red is a rewarding garden crop that turns patience into pantry-worthy flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 135 DaysHabit: Spreading

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Sep 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	135
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	60
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tennessee Red’s reddish skins bring a slightly sharper, savory edge that stays even after roasting, so it doesn’t taste flat like blanched peanuts sometimes can. Use it for sauces and pastes where you want peanut to thicken and stay tasting toasted—not just nutty, but warmly savory through the whole bite.

Best Uses

home roasting for snack shells or topping
soups/stews where peanut thickens without turning greasy
bold peanut butter or spicy peanut paste
gritty-smooth peanut sauce for noodles or satay-style skewers

Flavor Profile

roasted-earthy sweetness clean savory finish crisp kernel crunch with a toasty aroma slightly assertive, red-skin tang

Kitchen Pairings

chile garlic ginger lime soy sauce coconut milk

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage leaf spot and fungal blight on Arachis hypogaea (peanuts) like Tennessee Red?

Leaf spot/blight shows as dark brown to black spots on leaves, often worsening when days are humid and nights stay damp. Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, then water at the soil line (not overhead) and increase airflow by keeping plants spaced and weeded. If it keeps progressing, spray a registered fungicide labeled for peanuts and follow the label schedule, starting as soon as spotting appears.

How often should I water Tennessee Red peanuts during the main growing period (from flowering through pod fill)?

During flowering and pod fill, keep the soil consistently lightly moist—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil begin to dry before watering again, because soggy soil around developing pods increases fungal risk. Aim for even moisture; long dry spells followed by heavy watering can stress plants and reduce pod quality.

When are Tennessee Red peanuts ready to harvest, and what signs confirm they’re mature?

Harvest around 135 days after planting or when the foliage starts yellowing and a majority of plants show mature, dull leaves. Pull a few plants as a test: kernels inside the pods should have developed full color and fill the shells, and the inner skin should be tan rather than pale and soft. For best quality, harvest before pods get soaked from fall rains and dry them promptly after digging.