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When to plant Tomatoes in Mesa County, CO

Plant Tomatoes in Mesa County, when soil hits 50°F — usually May 8. Continue planting through May 29 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Mesa County, CO

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 6,091 feet, Mesa County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Mesa County, CO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Mesa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Mesa County's 161-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes

Tomatoes needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tomatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Mesa County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Mesa County, CO

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Sep 25

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Mesa County

Growing Tips for Mesa County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Mesa County, CO?

In Mesa County, CO, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mesa County, CO for Tomatoes?

Mesa County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Mesa County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Mesa County's temperate climate. Mesa County averages a 161-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Mesa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mesa County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mesa County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.