Tomatoes are completely frost-sensitive — even a light 32°F frost damages them. The conservative spring frost date for your county (frost-dates page) is the floor. Check our crop-calendar pages for state-specific tomato windows.
Frost Dates & Planting Timing
When is it safe to plant tomatoes outside?
Plant tomatoes outside after your local conservative last-frost bound (9-of-10 years past last 28°F frost) AND when soil temperature reliably holds above 60°F. For most US locations that's 2-3 weeks after the median last frost. Look up your county for the specific date.
More from Frost Dates & Planting Timing
- When is the last frost date in my area?
- What is the difference between a hardiness zone and a frost date?
- What does 50% frost probability mean?
- How do I use frost probability tables for planting decisions?
- What is a killing frost vs. a light frost?
- Can I plant earlier using row cover?
- How do I protect plants from a late spring frost?
- What crops can survive a frost?
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