When to Plant Tomatoes in North Carolina

Growing tomatoes in North Carolina can be relatively easy due to the state’s long growing season, warm temperatures, and fertile soil. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are mild with occasional freezes. The state’s excessive-high humidity and abundant rainfall can lead to disease development.

Tomatoes in North Carolina’s Climate

North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures frequently exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are mild with occasional frost or freezes. The state receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, with the highest precipitation occurring in the summer months.

The climate in North Carolina can have both positive and negative impacts on tomato growth. The hot and humid summers can be beneficial for promoting plant growth and fruit development. However, high humidity levels and abundant rainfall can also lead to issues with fungal diseases such as blight and blossom end rot.

Ensure well-draining soil and appropriate spacing to blunt these issues. On the other hand, the mild winters can provide an extended growing season, but unexpected frosts or freezes can damage tomato plants. It is crucial to choose varieties that can tolerate specific climatic conditions and provide adequate water and nutrient management to overcome the challenges of North Carolina’s climate when growing tomatoes. Using techniques such as staking, companion planting, and pruning can also help optimize growth and yield.

When to start tomatoes indoors in North Carolina

If you want to get an early start on cultivating tomatoes, begin growing the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the final spring frost in your area, regardless of the tomato variety you’re growing. In North Carolina, start sowing tomato seeds indoors around March 3rd.

You may want to get them going even earlier than that and plant them in a large pot ahead of producing them outdoors, just to give them even more of a head start. To start tomato seeds indoors:

1. Select a planting container. Choose a container at least 6-8 inches deep, with holes in the bottom for drainage.
2. Fill with a seed starter potting soil.
3. Plant 2-3 tomato seeds ⅛ inch deep in the soil and cover.
4. Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy.
5. Place the container in a warm, sunny spot indoors and keep the soil moist.
6. When the seedlings reach 2-3 inches tall, thin them out so there is only one seedling per container.

Tomato varieties that do well in North Carolina

Growing early-harvest tomatoes can be very handy in North Carolina, due to the diversity of its climate. Some varieties of tomatoes are ready to harvest in 60 to 100 days, which makes them perfect for the different zones in North Carolina. Sow your seeds indoors to maximize your growing season’s yield. I recommend one of the following varieties: 

1. ‘Aunt Gertie’s Gold’ Tomato – 75-80 Days to Harvest
2. ‘Heidi’ Tomato – 90 Days to Harvest
3. ‘Opalka’ Tomato – 90 Days to Harvest
4. ‘Martino’s Roma’ Tomato – 70-80 Days to Harvest
5. ‘Fourth of July’ Tomato – 49 Days to Harvest
6. ‘Sweet Million’ Tomato – 45 Days to Harvest
7. ‘Oregon Spring’ Tomato – 50 Days to Harvest
8. ‘Celebrity’ Tomato – 70 Days to Harvest
9. ‘Yellow Pear’ Tomato – 60 Days to Harvest
10. ‘Gardener’s Delight Tomato – 52 Days to Harvests

Hardening off your tomatoes

Hardening off tomatoes that you’ve started indoors before planting outdoors is essential to ensure they can thrive in the outdoor environment. When tomatoes are started indoors, they become accustomed to the warm and more stable environment. When planted outdoors, they are exposed to more extreme temperatures, wind, and sun. Hardening off tomatoes helps them slowly adjust to their new environment by exposing them to these elements for an extended period.

The process of hardening off tomatoes begins by slowly introducing them to the outdoors. Start by placing them in a sheltered spot, such as a porch or a partially shaded area, for a few hours each day. Over a week, gradually increase the amount of time they are kept outdoors and the amount of sun they are exposed to. After a week of hardening off, the tomatoes should be ready to move to their final outdoor planting location.

When to plant tomatoes in North Carolina

It’s generally safe to plant tomatoes outdoors when there is no risk of frost or freezing temperatures. In most climates, this means waiting until at least late spring or early summer. In North Carolina, your final freeze date is expected around March 28th to April 3rd, but be mindful of your weather forecast. If it seems like you’re in for a late freeze, wait to plant your tomatoes! 

When to harvest tomatoes in North Carolina

When tomatoes have turned a deep red (or the ripe color of their particular variety) and have no green spots visible, they are ripe and ready to be picked. If there are still green patches on the tomato, it has not yet ripened and should remain on the vine. The ideal way to pick ripe tomatoes is to cup the tomato in your hand and give it a gentle twist- it should come off the vine with ease. When in doubt, you can leave it on the vine an extra couple of days, or harvest the entire branch of tomatoes and allow it to ripen on the vine on your window sill.