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When to plant Tomatoes in Lowndes County, GA

Plant Tomatoes in Lowndes County after March 3; the prime window is March 3–March 24.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Lowndes County, GA

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.

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 396 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Tomatoes may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Tomatoes, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.

Lowndes County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

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 Lowndes County's 268-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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Lowndes County, GA

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Outdoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Direct Sow March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 24
Harvest May 12 May 12 – Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Lowndes County

Growing Tips for Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Lowndes County, GA?

In Lowndes County, GA, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around March 3) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lowndes County, GA for Tomatoes?

Lowndes County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Lowndes County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Lowndes County's temperate climate. Lowndes County averages a 268-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 3 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Lowndes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lowndes County (Zone 9a). 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 Lowndes County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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