When to Plant Tomatoes in Georgia – A Complete Growing Guide

As a gardener in Georgia knowing when to plant tomatoes is crucial for a successful harvest. With the state’s humid climate and varying regions timing is everything. In this complete growing guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting tomatoes in Georgia.

An Overview of Georgia’s Climate

The weather in Georgia is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The state is divided into four different regions.

• Mountains in the north
• Piedmont plateau in the central region
• Coastal plain in the south
• Appalachian plateau in the northwest

These varying regions experience differences in elevation, rainfall, and temperature. As a result, tomato planting times can shift by a few weeks around the state. The key is understanding your last spring frost date.

Determining Your Last Frost Date

The most important factor in determining when to plant tomatoes is the date of your last spring frost. Tomato plants are very susceptible to frost damage. Most varieties should not be transplanted outside until after the final frost has passed.

South Georgia’s last frost date is in late March, and North Georgia’s is in mid-April. Coastal areas also tend to experience earlier last frosts. Talk to your local extension office to find out when the last spring frost usually happens where you live.

You can also use the Farmer’s Almanac planting zone map to estimate based on your region. Just enter your zip code to view the recommended planting dates.

Starting Seeds Indoors

To get a head start on the growing season, most gardeners start their tomato seeds indoors. You’ll want to begin seeds around 6-8 weeks before your anticipated last frost date.

Timing it right takes some planning. Count backwards from your estimated outdoor planting date, allowing enough time for the seeds to germinate and seedlings to develop.

Seed starting times across Georgia:

• North Georgia mountains: start seeds in late February/early March
• North Central: start seeds in February
• Central: start seeds in early March
• South: start seeds in late February

Hardening Off Tomato Seedlings

Hardening off is the process of letting seedlings get used to being outside slowly before moving them to the garden. This toughens up the plants and prevents transplant shock.

To harden off tomato plants:

• Place them outdoors in partial sun for a few hours at a time.
• Slowly increase their sun exposure over 7-10 days.
• Bring seedlings back indoors at night until you’re ready to transplant.

Hardening off gets tender plants ready for things like full sun, wind, and changes in temperature. Never transplant seedlings straight from indoors to the garden.

Transplanting Tomatoes Outside

Once seedlings have been hardened off, you can transplant them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Generally, you can safely set out tomato plants when overnight low temperatures remain above 50°F and soil temperatures reach 60°F.

Here are the recommended transplant dates for tomatoes in Georgia:

• North: late April/early May
• Central: mid April
• South: late March/early April

When setting out transplants:

• Harden off plants first.
• Plant them deeper than they grew originally.
• Leave only the top few leaves showing.
• Space plants at least 12 inches apart in all directions.

This encourages good root development for stronger, healthier tomato plants.

Caring for Tomato Plants

Give your tomatoes the care they need for vigorous growth and maximum fruit production:

• Water deeply 1-2 times per week, especially during dry spells.
• Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
• Cage or stake plants for support.
• Prune lower leaves and stems for better air circulation.
• Use a balanced organic fertilizer when first planting and again when fruit sets.
• Scout for pests like hornworms which can quickly defoliate plants.

With proper care, your homegrown tomatoes will thrive through summer and into fall harvests.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes

When selecting tomato varieties, you’ll come across two main growth habits:

• Determinate tomatoes grow to a compact, bushy form. They reach a certain height then stop growing and produce their crop around the same time.
• Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing and producing fruit all season until frost. They require staking for their vining growth habit.

Choose determinate types for canning, paste, and early season crops. Go with indeterminates for continuous summer harvests. You can also succession plant determinates.

The Best Tomato Varieties for Georgia

Recommended tomato varieties for Georgia gardens:

• Celebrity: Disease-resistant, all-purpose slicing tomato. Determinate bush.
• Better Boy: High-yielding, great flavor. Indeterminate.
• Early Girl: Reliable early variety, sets fruit well in heat. Determinate.
• Mortgage Lifter: Huge, meaty, heirloom beefsteak type. Indeterminate.
• Jubilee: Low acid, sweet yellow tomato for slicing and eating fresh. Indeterminate.
• Roma: Excellent paste tomato for sauces, canning, and juicing. Determinate.
• Sun Gold: Super sweet, golden cherry tomato that grows in hanging clusters. Indeterminate.
• Black Krim: Purple-black heirloom tomato with rich sweet flavor. Indeterminate.

Experiment with different types for an extended harvest of delicious homegrown tomatoes.