Start tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most US zones that's mid-February to early April. Use a heat mat (70-80°F) for germination, then move to bright light. Transplant outside after the conservative last-frost bound and once soil hits 60°F.
Frost-date pages give your specific last-frost timing. Tomato variety review pages help with cultivar selection.
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