🍅 When to Plant Tomatoes

🥬 Vegetable
Warm Season

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 Apr 4 May 30 Jun 13
Zone 3B May 15 Mar 20 May 15 May 29
Zone 4A May 8 Mar 13 May 8 May 22
Zone 4B May 1 Mar 6 May 1 May 15
Zone 5A Apr 25 Feb 28 Apr 25 May 9
Zone 5B Apr 18 Feb 21 Apr 18 May 2
Zone 6A Apr 21 Feb 24 Apr 21 May 5
Zone 6B Apr 10 Feb 13 Apr 10 Apr 24
Zone 7A Apr 5 Feb 8 Apr 5 Apr 19
Zone 7B Mar 28 Jan 31 Mar 28 Apr 11
Zone 8A Mar 20 Jan 23 Mar 20 Apr 3
Zone 8B Mar 12 Jan 15 Mar 12 Mar 26
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 3 Feb 28 Mar 14
Zone 9B Feb 15 Dec 21 Feb 15 Mar 1
Zone 10A Feb 1 Dec 7 Feb 1 Feb 15
Zone 10B Jan 15 Nov 20 Jan 15 Jan 29
Zone 11A Jan 1 Nov 6 Jan 1 Jan 15

Tomatoes are America’s most popular garden vegetable. They thrive in warm soil and need full sun (6-8 hours daily).

Top Growing Tips

  • Soil temperature should be at least 60°F before transplanting
  • Plant deep — bury 2/3 of the stem for stronger root systems
  • Stake or cage indeterminate varieties for best yields
  • Consistent watering prevents blossom end rot
  • Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds

Companion Planting

Good companions: basil, carrots, parsley, marigolds

Avoid planting near: brassicas (cabbage, broccoli), fennel, corn

Harvest Timeline

60-85 days from transplant depending on variety