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When to Plant Tomatoes in Coshocton County, OH

Coshocton County, Ohio Zone 6b May

May in the garden — Coshocton County, Ohio

May is a pivotal month for Coshocton County, Ohio gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Set out tomatoes seedlings

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

  2. Scatter tomatoes into prepared beds

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • Starting indoors: tomatoes

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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.

Coshocton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 757 feet, Coshocton County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Coshocton County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Coshocton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11

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 Coshocton County

How your county's soil matches Tomatoes's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.0) is within Tomatoes's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Coshocton County is excellent for Tomatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tomatoes.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Tomatoes will thrive.

How to Plant Tomatoes

0.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatoes

3
successive plantings in your 166-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,161 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.2" 2.5" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 5.2" 3.7" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 4.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.2" 3.6" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 2.5" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 5.2" 2.2" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Coshocton 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 needs ~1,106 GDD — county provides 2,531 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Coshocton County, OH

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Sep 23

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

1.2"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Coshocton County

Growing Tips for Tomatoes in Coshocton County

Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after April 29 in Coshocton 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.

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.

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 Coshocton County, OH?

Coshocton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coshocton County, OH?

Coshocton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Coshocton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Coshocton 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.

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

Sources & credits

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