When Do You Plant Tomatoes Outside?

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to plant in a backyard garden. However, knowing when to plant them can be tricky. The optimal time to plant tomatoes outside depends on a few different factors, such as the climate in your area and the type of tomato plant you plan to grow.

Factors to Consider

The first factor to consider when planting tomatoes outside is the climate in your area. Tomatoes need warm temperatures to grow well, so it’s important to plant them after the last frost date. This date varies depending on where you live. You can find your last frost date by checking with your local gardening center or by using an online tool.

The second factor to consider is the type of tomato plant you plan to grow. There are two main types of tomato plants: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomato plants grow to a specific size and produce all of their fruit at once, while indeterminate tomato plants continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season.

Planting Determinate Tomatoes

If you plan to plant determinate tomatoes, it’s best to wait until after the last frost date and then plant them directly outside. Since determinate tomatoes produce all of their fruit at once, it’s important to wait until the weather is consistently warm to prevent the fruit from dying off due to cold weather.

Planting Indeterminate Tomatoes

If you plan to plant indeterminate tomatoes, you have a few different options. You can start the seeds indoors and then transplant the seedlings outside after the last frost date. Alternatively, you can wait until after the last frost date and then plant the seeds directly outside.

If you decide to start the seeds indoors, you should do so about six to eight weeks before the last frost date. This will give the seedlings enough time to grow before being transplanted outside. When planting the seedlings outside, make sure to do so on a warm day and give them plenty of space to grow.

Conclusion

Knowing when to plant tomatoes outside can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right information, it’s easy to do. By considering the climate in your area and the type of tomato plant you plan to grow, you can ensure that your tomatoes are planted at the optimal time and have the best chance of producing a bountiful harvest.