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When to Plant Tomatoes in Calhoun County, FL

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.

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 178 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93Β°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring β€” great for early planting β€” but Tomatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.

Calhoun County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.7

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 Calhoun County's 260-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 β€” 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" πŸ’§ Light watering
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jun 4.3" 9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 8.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Tomatoes Planting Timeline β€” Calhoun County, FL

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 – Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 – Apr 2
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

60–85 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

πŸ“† Growing Season

260 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Calhoun 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 35Β°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 Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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