When to plant tomato in Austin
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Austin's last spring frost of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 25 – Feb 15
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 15 – Apr 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 14 – Jun 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Austin's 286-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Austin'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
FEB 15
DEC 2
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Austin?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 14–Jun 8) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Austin?
Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 25–Feb 15) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Austin?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 15–Apr 5) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Austin?
Austin has roughly 286 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 Austin's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.