If you want to eat a delicious sandwich in the middle of fall, you can plant a tomato in June, get some Dukes mayonnaise, and buy a loaf of Sunbeam bread. (Walter Reeves for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop that thrive in Georgia’s long growing season. With the right timing and care, Georgia gardeners can enjoy fresh, homegrown tomatoes from mid-summer through early fall. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about when and how to plant tomatoes for a bountiful harvest in the Peach State.
Optimal Tomato Planting Time in Georgia
The key to success with tomatoes is all about timing. Tomatoes are very cold-sensitive and should not be put in the ground until after the last frost date, which varies across Georgia
- North Georgia/Mountains: April 15-30
- Central Georgia: March 20-April 5
- South Georgia: February 20-March 15
Tomatoes can be planted as soon as 2-4 weeks after the average last spring frost date for your region. The soil temperature should be at least 60-65°F before transplanting tomatoes. In most parts of Georgia tomatoes can be safely planted in the garden from mid-March to early May. Southern parts of Georgia may be able to plant as early as late February while northern mountain regions should wait until late April/early May.
The most foolproof way to know if it’s safe is to watch the overnight low temperatures in your area. As long as nighttime lows remain above 50°F and soil temperatures are warm enough, it’s generally safe to transplant tomatoes.
Preparing the Soil
Like all vegetable crops, tomatoes need nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to thrive. Before planting:
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Test soil pH and amend as needed to reach the ideal range of 6.0-6.8.
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Work in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil,
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Consider adding a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time and again midseason.
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Create raised beds for improved drainage if your native soil tends to stay wet.
Investing some time into preparing the soil will pay off all season long with healthier plants and better yields.
Selecting Tomato Varieties
With hundreds of tomato varieties to choose from, how do you pick the right ones for your Georgia garden? Here are some top varieties to consider:
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Celebrity: A widely adaptable hybrid with disease resistance. Produces loads of smooth, red fruits.
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Park’s Whopper: A heat-tolerant, high-yielding hybrid that thrives in southern gardens.
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Mortgage Lifter: A big, meaty heirloom beefsteak type that originated in Georgia.
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Juliet: A petite grape tomato that produces hefty clusters, perfect for salads and snacking.
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Cherokee Purple: Gorgeous heirloom fruits with dusky pink skin and juicy red flesh.
Choose a mix of smaller fruits for salads and snacking along with larger slicing types for sandwiches and sauces. Plant 2-3 plants of each variety you select for a good harvest.
Caring for Tomato Plants
Once your tomatoes are happily growing, they’ll need a little care and feeding:
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Water regularly, about 1-2″ per week. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to conserve water.
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Use mulch around the plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Stake or cage plants to keep them upright and prevent disease. Prune excess foliage.
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Fertilize with a tomato fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
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Scout plants frequently for pests like hornworms and signs of disease. Remove affected leaves/stems promptly.
Harvest Time
With proper planting time and care, Georgia gardeners can start picking ripe, red tomatoes as soon as 10-12 weeks after transplanting. For best flavor, allow tomatoes to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting. Pick tomatoes when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Store at room temperature and enjoy fresh from the garden!
By following this guide, Georgia gardeners can enjoy an abundant tomato crop. Pay close attention to planting dates, soil preparation, plant care, and harvest time for tomato success. With a little time and effort, your garden will be overflowing with sweet, juicy homegrown tomatoes.
The Best Time to Plant Tomatoes in Georgia
FAQ
What month to plant tomatoes in Georgia?
What are the best tomatoes to plant in Georgia?
Which month is best to plant tomatoes?
How often should you water tomato plants in Georgia?
When can I plant a tomato plant in Georgia?
Transplant them to the garden, around mid-March to early May when the frost has passed. Note: If you live in a Southern part of Georgia, you can also go in for a second crop if planted in late July. In Georgia, start planting from mid-March to early May.
Can you grow tomatoes in Georgia?
Growing tomatoes in Georgia can be so rewarding. A tomato sandwich or fresh salad with tomatoes from the garden is unbeatable! Make sure to start seeds indoors around 6 weeks before your last frost date, and transplant them outside when the soil temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Happy planting!
When should you start a tomato plant indoors?
You can test the ground temperature yourself with a soil thermometer too just to make sure. With most tomato varieties, you can start seeds indoors around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. When you sow indoors, you’re giving yourself a head start on the growing season.
When should I fertilize my tomato plants?
You usually want to fertilize your tomato plants when you first plant them, and then wait a while until later in the season. If your plants are showing signs of discolored leaves (purple or yellow), and/or curling up, it could be a fertilizer issue and they might need more phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
What temperature should tomatoes grow?
Air and soil temperature are the name of the game when it comes to growing tomatoes. For tomatoes to grow properly, the soil temperature should reach at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but preferably 60 degrees during the day. You want to be aware of when the last average spring frost happens in your area – this is also called a Hardiness zone.
How long does it take to grow tomato seeds indoors?
Depending on the type of tomato, it takes roughly 40-60 days to grow tomatoes from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden. For a specific date that you should start tomato seeds indoors you should: Not only this, but I recommend again paying close attention to your local weather report.