Tomato - Sweet Casady

Minimum Seed Count: 10

Sweet Casady is a beautiful and flavorful heirloom tomato that brings a splash of color to the garden! Developed by renowned tomato breeder Tom Wagner, this unique variety produces elongated, plum-shaped fruits with bright red skin decorated in wavy golden-yellow stripes. The small tomatoes are known for their exceptionally sweet flavor, making them a delicious treat straight off the vine. Highly productive and versatile, Sweet Casady is excellent for fresh eating, salads, homemade sauces, tomato paste, and canning. With its unusual appearance, sweet flavor, and generous harvests, this is a must-grow for tomato lovers and heirloom collectors alike.

Plant Details

• Species: Solanum lycopersicum
• Plant Type: Annual fruiting tomato
• Days to Maturity: Approximately 80 days from transplant
• Fruit Size: 1-3 inches long
• Fruit Shape: Elongated plum
• Fruit Color: Red with golden-yellow stripes
• Flavor: Sweet, mild, and rich tomato flavor
• Growth Habit: Indeterminate, vigorous vines
• Primary Uses: Fresh eating, salads, canning, sauces, and tomato paste

Growing Guide

Starting Seeds

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost.
• Maintain soil temperatures around 70–85°F for best germination.
• Plant seeds approximately ¼ inch deep.
• Keep the seed-starting mix consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Germination typically occurs within 7–14 days.
• Provide strong light once seedlings emerge.

Planting

• Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
• Harden plants off gradually for 7–10 days before transplanting.
• Choose a location receiving full sun.
• Space plants approximately 24 inches apart, with 3–4 feet between rows.
• Grow in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
• Sweet Casady can also be grown in large containers with adequate support.

Growing Conditions

• Full sun (8+ hours daily)
• Warm temperatures
• Fertile, well-drained soil
• Consistent moisture
• Good airflow around plants

Care

• Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruit development.
• Water at the base of plants to help keep foliage dry.
• Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize periodically with a balanced vegetable fertilizer.
• Provide a sturdy cage, stake, or trellis to support the vigorous indeterminate vines.
• Prune selectively if needed to improve airflow and manage growth.

Harvesting

• Harvest fruits when they develop their mature red color with golden-yellow stripes.
• Ripe tomatoes should feel slightly tender when gently squeezed.
• Pick regularly as fruits ripen to encourage continued production.
• Handle carefully to avoid bruising the delicate fruits.
• Enjoy fresh off the vine, or use the sweet, elongated tomatoes for sauces, paste, and preserving.

History

Sweet Casady was developed by Tom Wagner, an American tomato breeder known for creating unusual, colorful tomato varieties, including the famous Green Zebra. Sweet Casady is a cross between Raisin Vert and Casady's Folly, combining distinctive striped coloration with sweet, flavorful fruits. Its unusual appearance, excellent productivity, and versatility have made it a favorite among heirloom tomato enthusiasts and gardeners looking for something beyond the ordinary red tomato.

NOTE: photos are of Casady’s folly tomato, a nearly identical variety to the Sweet Casady as we don’t yet have photos to feature.