Blog

When to Plant Tomatoes in Bacon County, GA

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.

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 165 feet, Bacon County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Bacon County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Bacon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 11 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 22

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 69 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatoes needs ~1,595 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Bacon County, GA

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 โ€“ Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

253 days

Growing Tips for Bacon 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

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, 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 Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bacon 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 Bacon County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.