Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant tomatoes in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is tomatoes's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 3Start seeds indoorsSpring
May 22Transplant into the gardenSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Rich, deep soil with available calcium — blossom end rot is a calcium-plus-uneven-water problem. Mulch well.
Seedling care
Start 6 weeks before last frost, pot up once, and plant deep — every inch of buried stem grows roots.
Growing notes
Stake or cage at planting, not after. Consistent water prevents cracking; prune suckers on indeterminates if you want fewer, larger fruit.
Harvest
Pick at first blush and ripen on the counter during heat waves or ahead of storms — flavor doesn't suffer, and the birds lose.
Same crop, other zones
Tomatoes in zone 5b →Tomatoes in zone 6a →Tomatoes in zone 6b →Tomatoes in zone 7a →