LawnWeather

When to plant tomatoes

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Plant outside 2 weeks to 4 weeks after the last spring frost. Wait until nights stay above 50°F; cold soil stalls tomatoes for weeks.

Tender: any frost damages it.

Tomatoes planting dates by state

CityStart indoorsPlant outside
Birmingham, ALFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 13
Tucson, AZJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 2 – Mar 16
Little Rock, ARFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sacramento, CADec 28 – Jan 11Feb 22 – Mar 8
Denver, COMar 14 – Mar 28May 9 – May 23
Hartford, CTFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – May 7
Wilmington, DEFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – May 1
Washington, DCFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 23
Jacksonville, FLDec 13 – Dec 27Feb 7 – Feb 21
Atlanta, GAJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 22 – Apr 5
Boise, IDMar 9 – Mar 23May 4 – May 18
Chicago, ILFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – May 4
Indianapolis, INFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 8
Des Moines, IAMar 10 – Mar 24May 5 – May 19
Wichita, KSFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 9
Louisville, KYFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – May 4
New Orleans, LADec 12 – Dec 26Feb 6 – Feb 20
Portland, MEMar 12 – Mar 26May 7 – May 21
Baltimore, MDFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 23
Boston, MAFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – May 1
Detroit, MIMar 11 – Mar 25May 6 – May 20
Minneapolis, MNMar 12 – Mar 26May 7 – May 21
Jackson, MSJan 17 – Jan 31Mar 14 – Mar 28
Kansas City, MOFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – May 7
Billings, MTMar 19 – Apr 2May 14 – May 28
Omaha, NEMar 9 – Mar 23May 4 – May 18
Las Vegas, NVDec 25 – Jan 8Feb 19 – Mar 5
Manchester, NHMar 15 – Mar 29May 10 – May 24
Newark, NJFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 29
Albuquerque, NMMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 13
New York City, NYFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28
Charlotte, NCFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fargo, NDMar 29 – Apr 12May 24 – Jun 7
Columbus, OHMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 14
Oklahoma City, OKFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28
Portland, ORJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Apr 6
Philadelphia, PAFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 28
Providence, RIFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – May 5
Columbia, SCJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Apr 6
Sioux Falls, SDMar 17 – Mar 31May 12 – May 26
Nashville, TNFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – May 1
Dallas, TXJan 9 – Jan 23Mar 6 – Mar 20
Salt Lake City, UTFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – May 5
Burlington, VTMar 11 – Mar 25May 6 – May 20
Virginia Beach, VAJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 25 – Apr 8
Seattle, WAJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 9
Charleston, WVMar 10 – Mar 24May 5 – May 19
Milwaukee, WIMar 13 – Mar 27May 8 – May 22
Cheyenne, WYApr 1 – Apr 15May 27 – Jun 10

Not your city? Every city planting calendar lists all 19 vegetables.

Helpful gear

Seed starting kitTrays with humidity domes for starting seeds indoors.See options on AmazonLED grow lightKeeps indoor seedlings short and sturdy.See options on AmazonFrost clothCovers tender plants on a surprise frost night.See options on Amazon

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