When to plant Tomato in Zone 5a
In Zone 5a, Tomato: start seeds indoors around Mar 17–Mar 31; transplant outdoors around May 12–May 19. Expect to harvest around Jul 26–Aug 2.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant outdoors | May 12 – May 19 |
| Harvest | Jul 26 – Aug 2 |
Tip: Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. Don't transplant until nights stay above 50°F (10°C).
Zone 5a averages a last spring frost around May 5 and a first fall frost around Oct 1. These are zone averages — look up your ZIP for your exact area.
See the full Zone 5a calendar in the tool →