FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
New York CityFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrooklynFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
QueensFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
ManhattanFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
The BronxFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
Staten IslandFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
BuffaloFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
JamaicaFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
RochesterFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
YonkersFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
AstoriaFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
SyracuseMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
AmherstFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
ElmhurstJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
CoronaJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
AlbanyMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
Richmond HillFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
West AlbanyMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
GreenburghFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
New RochelleFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
South Ozone ParkFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
CheektowagaFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
RidgewoodJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
Mount VernonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
Forest HillsJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
Jackson HeightsJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
BaysideJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
SchenectadyMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
UticaMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
BrentwoodFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in New York

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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