When should I plant tomatoes in Texas?

In Texas, tomatoes is typically planted between March 29 and April 19 (earliest March 22, latest May 10). Wait for soil temperature at 2-inch depth to reach 60°F.

What USDA hardiness zone is Texas?

Texas has a dominant USDA hardiness zone of 8b, with a range from 6b to 10a. Last frost date averages around March 15 and first fall frost around November 15, giving a typical 245-day growing season.

What soil temperature does tomatoes need to germinate?

Tomatoes requires a minimum soil temperature of 60°F at 2-inch depth for reliable germination. Optimal germination occurs at 65–85°F.

How long does tomatoes take to mature?

Tomatoes typically reaches maturity in 60–100 days, depending on variety. Days to maturity counted from transplant date, not from seed. Direct seeding is uncommon outside southernmost states.

State × crop calendar

Tomatoes planting in Texas.

Primary cropZone 8b245-day seasonLast frost March 15VegetableFrost Sensitive

Tomatoes planting in Texas is shaped by the state's 8b dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around March 15, and a 245-day growing season. Tomatoes is widely grown in Texas — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for variety- and county-specific guidance.

Planting calendar — 2026

Tomatoes · Texas · planting calendar

Ideal windowEarliest / latest tailsFrost zone

Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

Planting windows

Spring planting

Tomatoes

Earliest

March 22

Ideal start

March 29

Ideal end

April 19

Latest

May 10

Soil-temp triggerTransplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.

Harvest window

Typical start

May 28

Typical end

July 7

Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.

Growing notes

Tomatoes grows well in Texas's typical climate. Texas's 245-day growing season and 8b hardiness zone support reliable production with appropriate variety selection.

Tomatoes is widely grown in Texas — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Agronomy reference

Soil-temp minimum

60°F

Soil-temp optimum

65–85°F

Days to maturity

60–100

Water (in/wk)

1–2"

Soil pH

6–6.8

Nitrogen demand

high

Days to maturity counted from transplant date, not from seed. Direct seeding is uncommon outside southernmost states.

Common pests to watch

Tomato hornworm
Aphids
Whiteflies

Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Common diseases

Early blight
Late blight
Septoria leaf spot

Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.

Variety selection

Tomatoes varieties for Texas live with your extension service.

Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service →

Search the extension site for “tomatoesvariety trial” or “recommended tomatoes varieties” to find the current report.

Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.

Tomatoes timing. Live alerts.

Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.

Download Bield: Farm

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