Planting guide · zone 5b
When to plant tomatoes in zone 5b
In zone 5b, the average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is Oct 8. Here is tomatoes's whole year, counted from those dates.
Mar 27Start seeds indoorsSpring
May 15Transplant 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 5a →Tomatoes in zone 6a →Tomatoes in zone 6b →Tomatoes in zone 7a →