When to plant tomato in Los Angeles
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Los Angeles's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Mar 19 – Apr 9
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 18 – Jun 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow tomato outdoors in Los Angeles?
Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Los Angeles, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Los Angeles?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 18–Jun 12) in Los Angeles, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
How long is the growing season in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has roughly 365 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 Los Angeles's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.