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SowingDates

When to plant tomato

Vegetable, tender

Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; CSU's very-tender group waits 2 or more weeks after frost while Clemson sets plants out once frost danger has passed, so the outdoor window here is the frost date through 2 weeks later. Harvest is 52–90 days from transplant and fruit stops at frost.

Tomato plants heavy with red and ripening fruit, sprawling over dark garden soil

The general rule

Start indoors
6–8 weeks before the last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
0–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
70°F
Days to maturity
52–90 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Tomato planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsTransplant outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Nov 28 – Dec 12Jan 23 – Feb 6
Tucson, AZMar 2Jan 5 – Jan 19Mar 2 – Mar 16
Portland, ORMar 21Jan 24 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Apr 4
Baltimore, MDApr 4Feb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 18
New York, NYApr 12Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 26
Nashville, TNApr 16Feb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 30
Louisville, KYApr 23Feb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – May 7
Omaha, NEMay 6Mar 11 – Mar 25May 6 – May 20
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Mar 20 – Apr 3May 15 – May 29
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 70°F+).

Sources