When to plant tomato in Sacramento
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Sacramento's last spring frost of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 26 – Feb 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 2 – May 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 1 – Jul 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Sacramento's 282-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Sacramento'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
FEB 15
NOV 27
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Sacramento?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 1–Jul 26) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Sacramento?
Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 26–Feb 16) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Sacramento?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 2–May 23) in Sacramento, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Sacramento?
Sacramento has roughly 282 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 Sacramento's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.