When to plant tomatoes
The rule
Days to maturity: 70–90 days [src]
Method: Start seeds indoors, then transplant. Frost tolerance: frost-tender (derived from the planting timing above).
Tomatoes is frost-tender; it's grown as a spring/summer crop.
Tomatoes planting dates by hardiness zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | April 16 – April 23 | May 21 – June 4 | — |
| Zone 2b | April 24 – May 1 | May 29 – June 12 | — |
| Zone 3b | April 19 – April 26 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | April 13 – April 20 | May 18 – June 1 | — |
| Zone 4b | April 9 – April 16 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Zone 5a | April 11 – April 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Zone 5b | April 3 – April 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Zone 6a | March 30 – April 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Zone 6b | March 23 – March 30 | April 27 – May 11 | — |
| Zone 7a | March 15 – March 22 | April 19 – May 3 | — |
| Zone 7b | March 6 – March 13 | April 10 – April 24 | — |
| Zone 8a | February 23 – March 2 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Zone 8b | February 13 – February 20 | March 20 – April 3 | — |
| Zone 9a | January 30 – February 6 | March 6 – March 20 | — |
| Zone 9b | January 2 – January 9 | February 6 – February 20 | — |
| Zone 10a | December 15 – December 22 | January 19 – February 2 | — |
| Zone 10b | December 20 – December 27 | January 24 – February 7 | — |
What you'll need
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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Heat matVIVOSUN heat mat with thermostatWarm-season seeds sprout in days instead of weeks when the soil sits near 75–85°F.See it on Amazon
- Grow lightBarrina T5 LED grow lights, 4-packA windowsill is too dim in late winter; a light 2–3 in. above keeps seedlings short and sturdy.See it on Amazon
- Tomato cages or stakesCedar Ridge foldable square tomato cagesSquare steel cages hold a full-grown vine that bends round wire cones.See it on Amazon
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Calendar computed 2026-09-27. Sources: University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension — “Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden”; University of Georgia Extension — Vegetable Planting Chart (Circular C963) (days to maturity); NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (frost); USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map.