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When to Plant Tomatoes in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 3,763 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Jackson County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 9

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 66 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatoes needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,150 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, WV

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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 6b

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, WV?

Jackson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, WV?

Jackson County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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