When to plant tomato in Durham
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Durham's last spring frost of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 28 – Mar 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 30 – May 21
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 29 – Jul 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Durham'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 2
NOV 1
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Durham?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 29–Jul 24) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Durham?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Durham?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.