How to Grow Tomato (2026)
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms.
Quick answer: Tomato is a warm-season crop for zones 3–13 in full sun. Plant after the last frost, space 24″ apart, and expect harvest in about 70 days.
Build your Tomato planting card
Pick your state for indoor-start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.
In Alabama (zone 7–9, last frost ≈ Mar 15, first frost ≈ Nov 15, 245-day season), your Tomato plan:
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Suits USDA zones 3–13. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and the 10-day forecast.
Growing tips
- Spacing: 24 inches between plants keeps air flowing and limits disease.
- Depth: sow seeds about 0.25″ deep (or set transplants at the same soil line).
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours).
- Season: Wait until nights stay above 55°F and soil is warm.
More warm-season crops
Spacing, depth, and days-to-harvest are typical values from university extension guides. Planting dates are computed from typical USDA/extension freeze dates (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates); confirm locally before acting.