When to Plant Tomatoes in Oregon 2015

Oregon is a great place to grow tomatoes. With its moderate climate and long growing season, you can generally plant and harvest tomatoes from late spring to early fall. However, the exact timing of when to plant tomatoes in Oregon in 2015 depends on a few factors such as the last frost date, the variety of tomato plant, and the intended use of the tomatoes.

Last Frost Date

The last risk of frost is a critical factor to consider when planting tomatoes. In Oregon, the risk of frost varies depending on the location. For example, in the southern part of Oregon, the average last frost date is around April 1st, while in the northern part of the state, it's about May 1st. It's essential to know your area's last frost date to prevent damage to your plants. This information can be obtained from your local agricultural extension office or online resources.

Varieties of Tomato Plants

The types of tomato plants you will grow will depend on the intended use of the tomatoes. For instance, if you plan to consume the tomatoes fresh throughout the season or canning them, you may plant an early-maturing variety apt for your climate. Alternatively, if you plan to make sauce, a late-maturing variety might work better. The ideal planting time for determinate tomato plants, which grow to a certain size and produce all their fruit at once, is late spring or early summer. In contrast, indeterminate tomatoes, which continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season, can be planted slightly earlier in the spring.

Recommended Planting Time

The optimal time to plant tomatoes in Oregon in 2015 is determined largely by your planting location's last frost date. Based on the last average frost date, the recommended times for planting determinate tomato plants in Oregon in 2015 are mid to late May. In contrast, planting indeterminate tomatoes would be recommended a few weeks before the last frost date. Still, to be certain of planting, a good rule of thumb for planting tomatoes is to wait until the soil temperature has risen to at least 60°F, usually at the end of May, before planting.

Conclusion

In Oregon, planting tomatoes in 2015's right time involves knowing the location's last frost date, choosing the variety of tomato plant, and considering the intended end-use of the tomatoes. It's best to plant determinate tomato plants a few weeks after the last frost date, and indeterminate tomato plants should be planted a few weeks before the last frost date. Keep in mind that the soil temperature needs to be at least 60°F before planting tomatoes.