When to plant tomato in Richmond
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Richmond's last spring frost of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 1 – Mar 22
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29 – May 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 28 – Jul 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Richmond'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 1
NOV 4
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Richmond?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 28–Jul 23) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Richmond?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 1–Mar 22) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Richmond?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 29–May 20) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.