Tomatoes Planting Guide
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.
Solanum lycopersicum · Vegetable · Solanaceae family · 60–85 days to maturity
Where Can You Grow Tomatoes?
Tomatoes Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Tomatoes planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Mar 13 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 7 – Oct 9 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 8 | May 24 | May 31 | Aug 2 – Oct 4 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 4 | May 20 | May 27 | Jul 29 – Oct 7 |
| Zone 4b | Feb 27 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 24 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 5a | Feb 28 | May 2 | May 9 | Jul 11 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 5b | Feb 21 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jul 4 – Sep 12 |
| Zone 6a | Feb 13 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 26 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 6 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 19 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 4 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jun 10 – Aug 19 |
| Zone 7b | Jan 28 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jun 3 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 8a | Jan 18 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 24 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 7 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 13 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Soil pH
6 – 7
Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
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.
Saving Tomatoes Seeds
Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Tomatoes by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Tomatoes?
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) takes 60 to 85 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Tomatoes grow in?
Tomatoes can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Tomatoes need?
Growing Tomatoes requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.