Tomato Planting Guide — All Zones
Solanum lycopersicum
Last updated: Apr 25, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
24 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.25 inch
Min Soil Temp
60°F
Germination
5–10 days
Days to Maturity
60–85 days
Frost Tolerance
No frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 15 | May 25 | — | Jul 25 | Sep 10 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 10 | May 20 | — | Jul 20 | Sep 20 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 1 | May 10 | — | Jul 10 | Oct 1 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 15 | Apr 25 | — | Jun 25 | Oct 10 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 5 | Apr 15 | — | Jun 15 | Oct 20 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 20 | Mar 30 | — | Jun 1 | Nov 1 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 10 | Mar 10 | — | May 15 | Nov 20 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 15 | Feb 20 | — | May 1 | Dec 1 |
| Zone 11 | — | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Apr 1 | Dec 15 |
| Zone 12 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
| Zone 13 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
Recommended for Your Zone
🌱 Tomato Seeds & Supplies
Find seeds, soil, and tools suited for growing tomato in your zone.
Shop on Amazon →Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Brassicas Fennel
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.