When to plant tomato in Wellington
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Wellington's last spring frost of Sep 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 17 – Oct 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 15 – Jan 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 13 – Mar 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Wellington's 256-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Wellington'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
SEP 19
JUN 2
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Wellington?
Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 10) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 45%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Wellington?
Start seeds indoors around mid September (Sep 17–Oct 8) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Wellington?
Transplant outdoors around mid December (Dec 15–Jan 5) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.
How long is the growing season in Wellington?
Wellington has roughly 256 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 Wellington's frost dates.
Confidence 50/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.