Garden Tempo

Texas, U.S. · outdoor planting

When to plant tomatoes in Texas

Set spring tomato transplants about 1–8 weeks after the local frost-free date, using the forecast rather than the calendar alone. For a fall crop, Texas A&M’s average regional dates move from June 1 in Region I to August 1 in Region V, with last optimum dates from June 25 to September 1.

Find your dates
Spring
1–8 weeks after the local frost-free date
Based on your local frost-free date
Fall
12–14 weeks before the first freeze
Based on your local first freeze
Start with
Use transplants
Texas A&M’s fall guide explicitly calls for tomato transplants. Start seed separately early enough to produce a sturdy plant for the regional outdoor date.

Spring and fall are different calculations

Start with your local frost date

Texas is too large for one planting day. Spring timing is measured from the local average frost-free date. Fall timing is measured backward from the local first freeze, then checked against the Texas A&M regional anchor when one is published.

Spring rule

1–8 weeks after the local frost-free date

Use the frost-free date for your garden, not a statewide average.

Fall rule

12–14 weeks before the first freeze

Count backward from the local first freeze and leave room for establishment.

Texas A&M gardening regions

Dates by region

Texas A&M publishes both an average fall planting date and a last optimum transplanting date for tomatoes. The second date is a boundary, not a promise that every variety planted then will finish.

Region I

Average Jun 1 · last optimum Jun 25

Northern Panhandle

Region II

Average Jun 15 · last optimum Jul 10

West Texas and the High Plains

Region III

Average Jul 1 · last optimum Jul 25

North, East and Central Texas

Region IV

Average Jul 10 · last optimum Aug 10

South Texas

Region V

Average Aug 1 · last optimum Sep 1

Lower Rio Grande Valley

Plant only when the crop is ready

The calendar is the first filter

A date can be inside the planning range and still be a poor planting day. Check the crop-specific conditions before committing seed or plants.

  • Frost risk has passed and the next nights are suitable for transplants.
  • The plant is hardened, compact and ready for outdoor sun and wind.
  • For fall, the cultivar can set and mature before the local first freeze.

From a young plant to the garden

A young tomato plant in a nursery pot beside a tomato plant growing outdoors with a stake.

Start with a transplant

Prepare a sturdy, hardened young plant before the outdoor planting window.

Move outdoors when conditions fit

Use the regional dates below and check the forecast before transplanting.

Method changes timing

How to start tomatoes

Texas A&M’s fall guide explicitly calls for tomato transplants. Start seed separately early enough to produce a sturdy plant for the regional outdoor date.

Choose spring or fall crop

Spring timing follows the local frost-free date. Fall timing uses a summer transplant date that shifts across five regions.

Prepare a transplant, not a seed row

Use a sturdy, hardened plant for the outdoor date; seed-starting happens earlier and is not the same event.

Test the fall finish

Compare maturity, first freeze and expected heat during fruit set before using the late edge.

When the simple answer breaks

Too early or too late?

Check your options if you missed the planting window or the weather is not ready.

Cold snap after frost-free

Hold the transplant

The average date does not overrule the forecast. Keep the plant protected until nights are suitable.

After the last optimum date

Treat the crop as high risk

A fast cultivar and protected location may help, but the statewide source no longer supports the date as optimum.

Growing notes

Texas needs two tomato seasons

A statewide spring answer alone misses the intentional summer transplanting window used for a fall crop. Choose the fall transplanting window for your region, then check that your variety has time to mature before frost.