When to plant tomato in Columbus
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Columbus's last spring frost of Mar 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 12 – Mar 5
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 2 – Apr 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 1 – Jun 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Columbus's 262-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Columbus'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
MAR 6
NOV 22
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Columbus?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 1–Jun 26) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Columbus?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 12–Mar 5) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Columbus?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 2–Apr 23) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Columbus?
Columbus has roughly 262 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 Columbus's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.