Tomatoes are a favorite for nearly all American gardeners. It is easy to grow, multifunctional and full of flavor variety.
Like any other crops, tomatoes must be grown at the right time in order to produce a larger yield, which is crucial for any gardener wishing to reap the rewards of their efforts.
This raises the question: when does one grow tomatoes? Most people argue between summer and autumn as both seasons witness favorable weather conditions since tomatoes are known to thrive in hot climates.
The simple answer comes from common wisdom suggesting that planting should only occur after the last frost has melted. While it sounds right, sufficient information has not been provided here and there is more than simply waiting for frost to end.
As you will find out later on, ideal growing conditions across the calendar year vary due to several significant criteria like:
- Temperature
- Location
- Type of tomato plant
- Days to maturity
In this text we shall discuss optimal growth periods alongside relevant considerations as well as – for your convenience – periods during which growing should preferably not take place.
When to Grow Tomatoes
Tomato plants blossom and yield approximately three months after they are planted. To maximize harvest, you want to plant around the last frost in your area. This might not align with your seed preparation timeline.
If you’re growing from seed, begin the germination process for tomatoes indoors using small pots six to eight weeks prior to the last frost date.
For example, if you’re situated in USDA hardiness zones eight and nine, mid-January is perfect for germinating seeds. Conversely, those located in USDA zones three or four should be seeding between mid-March and early April.
This all sounds fairly straightforward but as we know, farming is known for being follows a chaotic rhythm.
Factors That Determine The Perfect Planting Season
Whether You Get Summer-Like Temperatures
For optimal tomato growth, nighttime temperatures should rest between 55℉ and 75℉. In fact, even during hotter months, areas with lower average temperatures than this ceiling will struggle to sprout tomatoes for years on end.
It’s important to be aware of soil temperatures prior to planting tomatoes.
During the growing season, the appropriate soil temperature sits at 60℉.
A soil thermometer can help assess temperature or alternatively, you may insert a finger into the soil up to two inches deep.
If holding your fingers still proves difficult for cool temperatures, chances are it isn’t warm enough for plants either.
Where You’re Planting Tomatoes
In regard to tomatoes as an example garden crop anywhere in the world will have diverse ideal timings for tomato seasons broken down by geography..
Certain areas experience multiple “summer” stretches within a year and places like Banning, CA serve as good examples where they see one growing season starting in October and another between January until February.
Sun exposure is yet another problem as there exist regions where any season tomato will need at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day for healthy growth throughout the underground phase.
In case you don’t come across half a day’s worth of sun during most times of the year in your area, then these choices are rather essential to think over again because location geography won’t be helpful here even if you want them badly.
The Type of Tomatoes
Garden tomatoes give you a chance to decide which type of plant they include – determinate or indeterminate ones.
This choice not only impacts how many tomatoes you can look forward to harvesting, but also the duration of the harvest, which informs when and how frequently you may plant tomatoes.
As for determinate varieties, they exhibit a more compact bushy growth habit. These types yield crops within a specific timeframe after the fruit sets.
Within two to three weeks, these plants reach peak productivity and thereafter undergo a phase of inactivity followed by senescence. Determinate types will no longer produce any new fruit until they die or deteriorate.
Indeterminate types are somewhat distinct as once they begin producing fruits, they do so consistently throughout the entire season.
Note: They require twice as much space as determinant roses since they grow to be taller. Furthermore, these plants need to be staked or caged unlike the others. Lastly, indeterminate types are more resistant to lower temperatures than the determinant type.
To help you in selecting your preferred variety for cultivation, I have prepared a short table containing different varieties and their distinguishing characteristics.
| Variety | Characteristics | Type of Tomatoes |
| Grape Tomatoes | Crisp & Crunchy, meaty, rich taste with perfect sugar to acid balance. Oval shape. Juicy, sweet to tangy profile. | Determinate |
| Beefsteak Tomatoes | Rich and vibrant color with large, firm, and meaty Toatoes. Traditional tomato flavor with mild but balanced juiciness. | Indeterminate |
| Cherry Tomatoes | Cherry Tomatoes They are small, tender cherries which are snappy medium skin. Sweet (candy) and juicy flavor and a crisp bite. | Indeterminate |
| Cocktail Tomatoes | Soft Walled and meaty with few seeds. Herbaceous aroma. Juicy traditional tomato taste paired with sweet, fruity aftertaste. | Indeterminate |
| Roma Tomatoes | Full Dense with grainy flesh; firm yet few seeds; well balanced but has tangy flavor. | Determinate |
| Heirloom Tomatoes | Meaty, firm tomatoes available in a variety of textures and bright colors; juicy flavors ranging from sweet to earthy toned nuances. | Indeterminate |
| Tomatoes on The Vine | Firm tomatoes with thick walls that holds moisture. Sweet and juicy with garden-fresh taste. | Indeterminate |
When Not to Plant Tomatoes
If you want to grow tomatoes all season long, you need to focus on when not to plant them in your garden. This can be helpful if you are trying to extend your growing period.
Fortunately, “days to maturity” is consistent for all tomato varieties. This metric acts as a benchmark that begins in the day seedlings are transplanted into suitable soil till such time they bear ripe fruit.
To understand when not to plant tomatoes, knowing the first frost date in your area is critical.
- Determine the date of first frost.
- Calculate how many days are left before that date.
- Check against growing period reaching maturity harvesting optimum growth.
The core premise becomes checking is the duration before frost smaller compared to the time it takes for tomatoes to mature.
Tomatoes can be grouped into three categories based on length of growing season required. Different varieties of tomatoes can take varying differing lengths of growing season.
Early season tomatoes have a 65 day maturity span with popular variants being:
- Bush beefsteak – 62 days
- Cold set – 65 days
- ‘Silvery Fir Tree’ – 58 days
- Stupice – 55 days
- Subarctic – 42 days
- Cherry tomatoes – 65 days
Mid-season tomatoes take 70 to 80 days. Below are a few popular varieties:
- Abraham Lincoln – 77 days
- Atkinson – 75 days
- Beefsteak – 75 days
- Brandywine – 74 days
- Caspian pink – 80 days
While late-season tomatoes take more than 80 days to mature. Some of the best include:
- Amana Orange – 85 days
- Bull’s Heart – 90 days
- Cherokee Purple – 80 days
- Hugh’s – 85 days
- Hillbilly – 85 days