When to plant tomato in Houston
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Houston's last spring frost of Jan 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 22 – Feb 12
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 12 – Apr 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 11 – Jun 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Houston's 317-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Houston'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
JAN 26
DEC 9
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Houston?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 11–Jun 5) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Houston?
Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 22–Feb 12) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Houston?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Houston?
Houston has roughly 317 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 Houston's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.