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After a long, cold winter, you’re probably ready for that first warm day so you can start planting your vegetable garden. But before you get ahead of yourself, it’s important to understand that some crops—such as tomatoes—absolutely don’t like chilly weather.
Native to coastal Peru and Chile, tomatoes are tropical plants. “Tomatoes evolved in a drier climate so they aren’t accustomed to our rainy, humid weather, which is why we often have to deal with many different diseases,” says Frank Hyman, author of Ripe Tomato Revolution and former organic tomato farmer. “They also have zero tolerance to frost. Even air temperatures in the 50s can put the brakes on growth.”
Because of this, it’s typically recommended to plant tomato plants about a week or two after the last average frost date in your region; obviously, this is a rough guide because the last actual frost date of the year changes every year, thanks to nature’s whims.
But here’s where it gets interesting: another key factor impacts when it’s best to set out your transplants. “The real issue is soil temperature,” says Gary Pilarchik of The Rusted Garden and author of The Modern Homestead Garden. “Tomatoes like warm soil, with soil temperatures in general around 60 degrees.”
Read on to learn more about the absolute best time to plant tomatoes:
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What Happens If You Plant Tomatoes Too Soon?
Essentially, not much. “If you plant too early, they’ll just sit there, so you’re not gaining anything by getting them in the ground before growing conditions are right,” says Pilarchik. “The root system tells the plant what to do, so if the soil isn’t warm, the plants are not going to grow.”
In fact, this is one time it’s good to procrastinate! Even in a cold climate with a short growing season, you’re not gaining anything by early planting. “There’s no advantage to putting tomato plants in the ground early,” says Hyman. “In fact, tomatoes put in the ground later, when the soil is warm, catch up and have the same harvest date and yield as any that were planted earlier in the season in cold soil.”
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What is the Best Time to Plant Tomatoes?
Of course, waiting until after the last average frost date is recommended before planting tomatoes, but here’s what else to consider so you plant at the ideal time for your region:
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Watch for temperatures trending upwards.
You want days that are consistently in the 60s and 70s, with nighttime lows not less than the mid-50s, says Pilarchik. In fact, cold nighttime temperatures can trigger blossoms to drop. Soil temperatures should be in the 60s (check your local soil temperature here).
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Keep an eye on the forecast.
Watch the 10-day forecast. This will keep you from putting your transplants at risk by planting on a warm day, only to be followed by a few days in the 40s or a late frost, says Pilarchik.
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Protect your baby plants.
If you see a late frost (or even a freeze!) forecast, cover your tomato plants. A frost cloth, old sheet, five-gallon bucket turned upside down over the plant, a cloche, or even a large glass vase purchased from the discount store, all work to protect your young plants from a frost, says Pilarchik.
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Use black plastic “mulch.”
This sheeting is especially helpful if you have a short growing season because it helps warm up the soil more quickly. Lay down the plastic mulch, then cut a 3-inch hole where you want to place your transplant. This technique also helps keep down weeds, retains moisture, and minimizes the risk of soilborne microbes splashing up on the plant, says Hyman. You can find biodegradable types that are made from cornstarch.
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Don’t worry if you planted late.
Late-planted tomatoes tend to catch up and provide just as bountiful a harvest as those planted earlier in the season. If you didn’t get yours in at the same time as your early-bird neighbors, don’t fret. You’ll still enjoy a prolific harvest, says Hyman.
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