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When to Plant Tomatoes in Gilmer County, WV

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.

Gilmer County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,257 feet, Gilmer County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Gilmer County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Gilmer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (21 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Tomatoes needs ~1,214 GDD — county provides 2,897 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Gilmer County, WV

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Gilmer 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 Gilmer County, WV?

Gilmer County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gilmer County, WV?

Gilmer County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gilmer County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Gilmer County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.