When to plant tomato in London
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off London's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 27 – Mar 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 17 – May 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 16 – Jul 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
London's 209-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on London's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
APR 10
NOV 5
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in London?
Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 16–Jul 11) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in London?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 27–Mar 20) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in London?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 17–May 8) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in London?
London has roughly 209 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow tomato to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow tomato 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and London's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.