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When to Plant Tomatoes in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 3,354 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.

Monroe County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatoes needs ~1,051 GDD — county provides 2,349 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, WV

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 2
Direct Sow May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 2
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 29

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

162 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, WV?

Monroe County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, WV?

Monroe County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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