When to plant tomato in Philadelphia
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Philadelphia's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 27 – Mar 20
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
Philadelphia's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Philadelphia'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 28
NOV 22
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Philadelphia?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 29–Jul 24) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Philadelphia?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 27–Mar 20) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Philadelphia?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has roughly 234 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 Philadelphia's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.