When to plant Tomatoes in Lewis County County,
Plant Tomatoes in Lewis County County, between May 27 and June 17 — the only viable window. Zone 6b's short season (126 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, ID
June in the garden — Lewis County, Idaho
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Lewis County, Idaho.
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Set out tomatoes seedlings
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
Looking ahead to July
- Starting indoors: 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.
Lewis County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.
At an elevation of 4,861 feet, Lewis County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tomatoes successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Lewis County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Tomatoes Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Lewis County
How your county's soil matches Tomatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–8.0) is more alkaline than Tomatoes prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lewis County is excellent for Tomatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatoes.
How to Plant Tomatoes
Succession Planting Tomatoes
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 30 to harvest before frost.
Tomatoes Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes
Tomatoes needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Tomatoes Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 5.2" | 1.7" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 5.2" | 0.8" | 4.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 5.2" | 1.2" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 5.2" | 1.4" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 5.2" | 1.2" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lewis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Tomatoes Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Lewis County, ID
Tomatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | August 5 | Aug 5 – Oct 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.2"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
126 days in Lewis County
Growing Tips for Tomatoes in Lewis County
Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after May 20 in Lewis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Tomatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Lewis County receives only 14" of rain annually. Tomatoes needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
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.
Recommended Tomatoes Varieties for Lewis County
Choose determinate, early-maturing varieties for your short season
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.
Tomatoes in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, ID?
Lewis County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lewis County, ID?
Lewis County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 23.
When should I plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, ?
In Lewis County, , plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around May 20) and before the first frost (around September 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Lewis County, for Tomatoes?
Lewis County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Tomatoes grow in Lewis County's climate?
Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Lewis County's temperate climate. Lewis County averages a 126-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 20 and first frost around September 23.
Your Lewis County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Lewis County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.