Planting calendar
When to plant tomatoes
Tomatoes are a warm-season crop you start indoors and transplant out. Find your USDA zone in the table for the dates. In zone 7, start seeds indoors around March 4 and transplant around April 22.
| USDA zone | Start seeds indoors | Sow / transplant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April 3 | May 22 |
| Zone 4 | March 29 | May 17 |
| Zone 5 | March 19 | May 7 |
| Zone 6 | March 10 | April 28 |
| Zone 7 | March 4 | April 22 |
| Zone 8 | February 14 | April 4 |
| Zone 9 | January 17 | March 7 |
| Zone 10 | December 20 | February 7 |
Anchored to approximate zone last-frost dates. A guide — confirm locally.
FAQ
When should I plant tomatoes?
Tomatoes are a warm crop usually started indoors and transplanted out. In zone 7 that's about March 4 indoors and April 22 outside; the table shows every zone. Adjust to your local last-frost date.
Can I start tomatoes earlier in a warm zone?
Yes — warmer zones have an earlier last frost, so the dates shift earlier. Compare the zones in the table; a zone 9 garden plants weeks ahead of zone 5.
A planting guide, not a guarantee. Dates anchor to approximate average last-frost dates per USDA zone and will shift with your microclimate and the season. Check the local forecast before planting.