Q.Frost Dates & Planting Timing
When is it safe to plant tomatoes outside?
A.
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.
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.