Quick planting window
| Start indoors | February to March |
|---|---|
| Transplant | March to April |
| Sow seeds | Usually not recommended for this crop in a short-season garden |
| Estimated harvest | June to July |
| Risk | Medium risk |
Month calendar
Scan the year by month to see seed starting, sowing, transplanting, and harvest timing.
Tomato is frost sensitive. Wait until the conservative transplant or sowing window for California.
Next: ZIP code personalization
This is a state-level planning window based on typical frost timing and crop rules. Use local Extension guidance or a ZIP code frost-date tool before planting.
Planning notes
Days to maturity
75
Covered states
20
Maturity range
28-240 days
Crop overview pages compare state windows; open a specific state page to see that state's frost dates, heat risk, and Extension source.
Tomato growing notes
The calendar window is only the first step. These growing details affect survival, plant vigor, and harvest quality.
Sun
Full sun, ideally 6-8+ hours.
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with compost.
Spacing
18-24 inches for compact types; 24-36 inches for vigorous vines.
Container
Use a 5+ gallon container for patio types; larger is better.
Watering
Water deeply and consistently; avoid wetting leaves late in the day.
Common mistake
Transplanting before nights are warm enough.
Beginner tip
Harden seedlings off for 7-10 days before planting outside.
Month window table
| State | Spring transplant / sow | Spring harvest | Fall transplant / sow | Fall harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | March to April | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| New York | May to June | July to August | June to July | September to October |
| Texas | March to April | June to July | July to August | October to November |
| Washington | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| New Jersey | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Florida | February to March | May | September to October | November to December |
| North Carolina | April to May | June to July | July to August | October to November |
| Georgia | April to May | June to July | July to August | October to November |
| Illinois | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Ohio | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Pennsylvania | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Michigan | May to June | August to September | June to July | September to October |
| Arizona | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Oregon | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Massachusetts | May to June | August to September | June to July | September to October |
| Minnesota | May to June | August to September | June to July | September to October |
| Virginia | April to May | July to August | July to August | October to November |
| Colorado | June to July | August to September | June to July | September to October |
| Tennessee | April to May | June to July | July to August | October to November |
| Missouri | April to May | July to August | July to August | September to October |
Sources and limits
This crop overview summarizes typical frost windows and crop rules across 20 states. Because it is not tied to one state, the links below point to representative state Extension sources; state and crop-state pages show the matching state source.
Note: this overview shows a sample of sources; each state page exposes its own Extension reference.
FAQ
When should I start tomato indoors?
Tomato is commonly started indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost date. The exact month changes by state.
Can I sow tomato outdoors?
Tomato is usually safer when started indoors and transplanted, especially in short-season gardens.
When should I transplant tomato?
Tomato is commonly transplanted about 2 weeks after the last frost date, after seedlings are hardened off.
How long does tomato take to harvest?
Tomato is listed at about 75 days to maturity. Cool weather, weak light, or stress can extend that timeline.
Is tomato container friendly?
Yes. Use a 5+ gallon container for patio types; larger is better.
What is the most common tomato mistake?
Transplanting before nights are warm enough.
Is tomato better in spring or fall?
Spring is usually safer; fall planting needs enough warm days before first frost.
Is this ZIP-code accurate?
No. V1 uses conservative state-level windows and reserves ZIP-code frost dates, USDA zone matching, and reminders for the next phase.