Georgia’s climate is nothing less than a gardening gift. Although northern parts may have little short gardening season, southern Georgia provides a long growing season with mild winters, giving the best opportunity to grow warm-season crops, with tomatoes at the top of them!
And if you are thinking of growing tomatoes, preparing the ground is just begging: the real move becomes when you understand the right planting time according to YOUR LOCAL AREA. Those factors (regional climate and plant variety) decide when to plant!
Similarly, when it comes to sowing tomato seeds in Georgia, gardeners must consider where they live and which tomato variety they are planting. By the way, each tomato variety has the same growing conditions, but they may differ in maturity time, which can slightly change planting time.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Georgia?
When growing tomatoes in any specific area, you need to understand their temperature preferences and tolerances.
- Actually, tomatoes prefer mild to warm temperatures from 18 to 28 Celcius. Below that 10 Celcius starts stopping the tomato’s growth and even that temperature at 0 Celcius may cause its death.
- On the other hand, Georgia consists of only a few USDA zones from 7b to 9, meaning the minimum temperature range can reach -15 to -3 Celcius.
So, in Georgia, the general planting time for tomato plants is from early to late April. However, the exact timing may vary based on the planting place and the difference in growing season length from North to South Georgia.
Note: Tomato plant is mostly grown after the last frost date or 4/8 weeks before soil warms up to transplant and get an early harvest.
Why Tomato Planting Time is Different Due to Planting Place and Regional climate differences?
Regarding Georgia, both factors are connected. Actually, you may need to sow tomato seeds indoors;
- if your area is experiencing a short growing season with a long frost duration, like in north Georgia!
- If you want early tomato harvest anywhere in Georgia.
While you can plant tomatoes outdoors by using moveable pots or containers;
- Where frost passes early and the growing seasons are long, such as in central to south Georgia.
Right Planting Time for Tomato in Georgia
- North Georgia: If you live in North Georgia, where USDA zones 7a and 7b are located, you need to sow tomato seeds indoors from mid to late March and then transplant them outdoors after the last frost date (Late April).
- Central Georgia: Here, USDA zone 8 is founded: plant tomato seeds indoors from late February to early March. However, you can sow tomato seeds outdoors after mid-April, when indoor seedlings should be transplanted.
- South Georgia: The southern areas offer more longer-growing season than northern and central Georgia, so plant tomatoes outdoors from late March to early April. However, indoor sowing can be possible in late January or February.
Do you know? According to the University Extension of Georgia, some southern parts can also be able to plant tomatoes again in late July. But at this time, you will have to protect the tomato from intense heat and humidity.
Best Tomato Varieties for Georgia
Since Georgia’s growing seasons are ideal for tomato plants, only examining planting time is not enough. Choosing the right tomato variety that can survive according to your situation. For example, determinate varieties are best for limited space while indeterminate tomatoes can survive in a natural outdoor environment.
Related Article: Are Tomato Plants Annual or Perennial?
Take note Summer months may be challenging for tomato plants, especially where the growing seasons are long and with high humidity due to various water sources. Before moving to tomato planting, always choose heat-tolerant varieties, such as:
- Heatmaster
- Early girl
- Big Beef
- Black Krim
- Dixie Red
- Phoenix
- Summer Set
When growing indeterminate tomatoes, strong supports such as wooden stakes, cages, or trellises are crucial to prevent them from falling over and to protect them from moisture-borne diseases.
How to Grow Tomatoes in Georgia?
After examining the best time to plant tomatoes according to your area, explore five steps to sow their seeds with ideal growing conditions.
Remember, planting time is not enough for high yield, you will also have to examine other things, such as ideal growing conditions and climate impact on tomato growth.
Because environmental factors have a big role in managing plant growth negatively or positively. (Here’s how)
Special Consideration
Keep in mind, that tomato plants grow best in mild to warm situations, not too cold (above 10C, and not too hot, above than 30C). Try to keep ideal conditions for tomato plants whether growing indoors or outdoors.
- Outdoor direct sowing may be possible, however, most gardeners make tomato seedlings indoors and transplant them outdoors after 4 to 6 weeks when soil and air temperatures are above 10 to 15 Celcius.
- When transplanting, keep a 2-foot distance between each tomato plant to allow air to circulate and protect from summer’s humidity, which may cause pests and disease attacks.
- Plant tomatoes in a place where they can get proper sunlight for 4/6/8 hours, depending on the light intensity.
- Too high temperature, approximately above 30 Celicuse drops flowers and reduces yield, so at this time, protect them from intense heat.
Check out the tomato growing guide from University Extension Georgia! (here)
Plant Care Tips
- Key Difference Between Wet and Moist Soil for Gardeners
- 4 Obvious Signs Your Plant Needs Water (Don’t Ignore These!)
- How to Store Potting Soil: DIY Ideas With Practical Steps
- Signs of Termites in Mulch: Whether in Bags, Piles, Around Plants
- Best Mulch to Prevent Termites: Pine Straw vs. Other Mulch
- 10 Reasons Your Plants Aren’t Thriving in Their Environment
- Limestone in Agriculture: Why Calcium Carbonate for Soil Matters
- What Happens If You Plant Moldy Wheatgrass: Risk and Solution
- How to Store Bulk Garden Soil: Learn From Common Mistakes
