When to plant tomato in Modesto
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Modesto's last spring frost of Jan 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 13 – Feb 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 22 – May 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 21 – Jul 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Modesto's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Modesto'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 27
DEC 3
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Modesto?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 21–Jul 16) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Modesto?
Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 13–Feb 3) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Modesto?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 22–May 13) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Modesto?
Modesto has roughly 310 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 Modesto's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.