When to plant tomato in Bakersfield
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Bakersfield's last spring frost of Feb 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 15 – Feb 5
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 9 – Apr 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 8 – Jul 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Bakersfield's 315-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Bakersfield'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 3
DEC 8
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Bakersfield?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 8–Jul 3) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Bakersfield?
Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 15–Feb 5) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Bakersfield?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has roughly 315 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 Bakersfield's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.