When To Start Tomato Seeds

What's the best seed starting date?

Start your seeds late and you can have a delayed crop.

By mid-winter, most gardeners are itching to get growing. Have patience to not start too early.

Start dates differ from region to region

How to know when to start tomato seeds

1. Determine the last frost date for your region. If you’re not sure, contact your local extension office. You can also view the freeze/frost information provided by the National Climatic Data Center. Select your state from the drop-down list. On the opened chart, choose the city closest to you. You’ll see the average last frost dates for spring (and first frost for fall) dates – among plenty of other data.
2. Count back 4-6 weeks from the last frost date for your region to know when to start your tomatoes.

Plant your tomato seedlings outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost date

Sample calculation
The last frost date in upstate South Carolina: April 15
Ideal tomato seed starting date: March 1
When to plant tomato seedlings: April 25-May 7

From our readers:

Dear Tomato Dirt,
Why should I wait a couple of weeks after the last frost date to plant my seedlings in the garden? I want to get my tomato plants in the ground as soon as I can so I can have the first tomato on the block.
Sincerely, Itchy Garden Gloves

Dear Itchy,
Tomatoes like hot weather. They don’t like wet feet and they don’t like to be cold. Give the ground a chance to warm up and your tomatoes will reward you. Go with the calendar even if you're impatient.

If you absolutely must plant early, then use the “Black Plastic Trick.” Two to three weeks before setting tomatoes in the garden, cover your planting area with black garden plastic. Black absorbs heat from the sun and will warm your soil more quickly than if it is left to nature’s devices.

Happy gardening!
Sincerely, Tomato Dirt

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