Some are earlier and some are later--as early as around 40 days and as late as 100+ days. Purchase and plant tomatoes in April in your climate zone, or as early as March if it’s warm and you protect them from any late frosts. – Plant tomatoes into rich, deep, fertile, and living soil; or use raised beds and large  containers filled with fertile topsoil, washed sand, compost, and organic amendments. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of California, Alameda County Master Gardeners: Your Alameda County Garden, Month by Month, University of California-Davis: Vegetable Planting Guide, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden, Tomato seeds are more likely to sprout when the air temperatures hover at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomatoes are more tolerant of being rootbound than most other vegetables, and often perform reasonably well even when transplants are, shall we say, long in the root. Whether you start your own tomato plants or get them from a nursery, set them in the ground at the times recommended for direct seeding in your area. California's large size makes planning vegetable gardens challenging when you have only statewide date recommendations for sowing and transplanting warm-weather crops such as tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). San Marzano” tomatoes have a sweet flavor that makes delicious sauces. When choosing the ideal time to plant, remember that tomatoes grow best when daytime temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By continuing, you are agreeing to the GardenZeus, See customized advice and information for growing tomatoes in your Southern California zipcode, The GardenZeus Guide to Buying Vegetable Seedlings, GardenZeus Tips for Shading Vegetables During Hot Weather, Growing Tomatoes in Containers: 5 Steps for Success, GardenZeus Tips for Container Vegetable Gardening, Enter your California zip code for customized advice by plant, Tips for Late Tomato Planting in Hot Summer Areas. Then, most tomatoes require anywhere from 2 to 3 months to grow and develop ripe fruits. Vegetables that are late to mature in cooler climates do fine down south when sown in July. Tomatoes for zone 9 can be started indoors for later transplant as early as late January through April and again in August. You can plant late varieties as late as January, but to get the full harvest they will need a protected environment from March as the nighte become cooler. – Try to time planting during a cool period, when weather is forecast to be in the 80s or cooler for several days or longer. About Greenhouse Tomatoes. However, while crops are fruitful, these plants often succumb to diseases, and the tomatoes are prone to cracking. But be sure to get rid of your existing tomato plants right now. Want to plant tomatoes in June or July shortly before the full heat of summer arrives but not sure it’s a good idea? Your best chance for a good harvest will require checking on the tomato plants at least once per day, especially during hot weather and while they are young and establishing. Late planting of tomatoes in hot-summer areas is recommended for experienced and skilled gardeners who have developed fertile, living garden soil over time, and with the understanding that intense heatwaves and even normal hot-summer weather may cause great difficulty with establishing and growing tomatoes. – Consider growing tomatoes in large containers on wheeled carts or wheeled plant stands so you can move them out into full sun on cooler days and keep them shaded or in cool areas during heatwaves. See The GardenZeus Guide to Buying Vegetable Seedlings. Many people grow tomatoes during the summer to last through the winter months through freezing, drying and canning. Douglas has worked as a staff reporter for the Lakeville Journal newspaper group. I plant my seeds in mid to late January in large plastic glasses, and I take them outside in the morning and bring them in at night, if I remember. – Plan carefully for sun and shade. -Always safe to plant tomatoes in Southern California between March 15 and Fourth of July -If sowing seeds, start 1-2 months earlier than planting dates (indoors in January or February) My other tomato posts: “‘San Diego’ tomatoes and supporting tomatoes” Golden Gate Gardener : Battling Tomato Late Blight. These look beautiful sliced up in a salad and are delicious on sandwiches. Southwestern California growers should plan to start indoor plants from March in warm areas all the way up to mid-June in cooler portions. Go with the healthiest, strongest transplants that you can find and don’t look back. Ellen Douglas has written on food, gardening, education and the arts since 1992. This can be achieved by placing a piece of polycarbonate over the crop, or creating a tunnel with plastic. In cold locations, times are March through April. Average lows are about - minus 50 degrees F in zone 1 (now that's cold!). For all of the tomatofiends and other bold gardeners in California’s hot-summer areas who are reading these words, here are my tips for late tomato planting: – Plan to spend extra time and give extra attention to your tomatoes. Tomatoes are the darling of every American gardener. Southwestern California growers should plan to start indoor plants from March in warm areas all the way up to mid-June in cooler portions. As the winter months fade and the spring and summer months are around the corner, most gardeners cannot wait to start their vegetable gardens. California on average has approximately 270 days between the last and first frost. The “Sweet 100” is a classic cherry tomato for the garden. California's warm climate allows many of its home gardeners to sow seeds directly into the ground outdoors. 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