Growing tomatoes in Tennessee is a rewarding experience as the state offers a long growing season and a generally favorable climate for tomato plants. However, tomato growers must be prepared for hot, humid summers and the occasional threat of late spring or early fall frost. With a little planning and attention, amazingly delicious and bountiful tomatoes can easily be grown in Tennessee.
Tomatoes in Tennessee’s Climate
Tennessee has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The state’s location in the southeastern part of the United States means it receives plenty of precipitation throughout the year, particularly in the form of thunderstorms in the summer months.
The hot and humid summers in Tennessee can make it difficult to grow tomatoes, as the high temperatures and moisture can promote diseases like blight and fungal infections. Additionally, heavy rainfall can cause issues with overwatering and nutrient leaching.
To combat these challenges, it’s important to choose proper tomato varieties and provide proper drainage for the soil. Mulching around the plants can also help retain moisture and prevent weeds, while regular fertilization can ensure the plants are getting the necessary nutrients to thrive. Proper spacing and pruning can also improve air circulation and prevent the spread of disease. Consider companion planting to provide shade, retain moisture in the soil, and prevent soil erosion.
When to Start Tomatoes Indoors in Tennessee
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 Tennessee, start sowing your tomato seeds indoors from February 21st to March 20th.
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:
- Select a planting container. Choose a container at least 6-8 inches deep, with holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Fill with a seed starter potting soil.
- Plant 2-3 tomato seeds ⅛ inch deep in the soil and cover.
- Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny spot indoors and keep the soil moist.
- 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 Tennessee
Growing early-harvest tomatoes can be very handy in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee. Sow your seeds indoors to maximize your growing season’s yield. I recommend one of the following varieties:
- ‘Aunt Gertie’s Gold’ Tomato – 75-80 Days to Harvest
- ‘Heidi’ Tomato – 90 Days to Harvest
- ‘Opalka’ Tomato – 90 Days to Harvest
- ‘Martino’s Roma’ Tomato – 70-80 Days to Harvest
- ‘Fourth of July’ Tomato – 49 Days to Harvest
- ‘Sweet Million’ Tomato – 45 Days to Harvest
- ‘Oregon Spring’ Tomato – 50 Days to Harvest
- ‘Celebrity’ Tomato – 70 Days to Harvest
- ‘Yellow Pear’ Tomato – 60 Days to Harvest
- ‘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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee, your final freeze date is expected around March 28th to April 30th depending on where you live. Still, 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 Tennessee
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.
