Colorado · zones 5a–7a
When to plant cherry tomatoes in Colorado.
Sow or transplant between May 16 to Jul 16 in a typical year, keyed to Colorado's median last frost around May 9. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Cherry Tomatoes dates for a typical Colorado season.
1 · Start indoors
Apr 4 to Jun 4
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 16 to Jul 16
Keyed to the ~May 9 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~57 days later
~8 lb per plant over ~10 weeks.
Colorado spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5a to 7a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Colorado: watch for
The pests that find cherry tomatoes here.
The short season here, about 143 frost-free days, keeps tomato, cherry in front of tomato hornworm only briefly. One early row cover usually carries a planting through the worst of it.
Big green caterpillars strip leaves and leave black droppings.
Organic fix: Handpick at dusk; spray Bt on the young ones.
Clusters on new growth, sticky leaves, curling tips.
Organic fix: Blast with water, then insecticidal soap or neem.
Dark spots with concentric rings, starting on the lowest, oldest leaves.
Organic fix: Remove affected leaves, mulch to stop soil splash, space for airflow.
Greasy, water-soaked blotches in cool, wet spells. No rings, and not bottom-up.
Organic fix: Pull infected plants fast, keep leaves dry, use neem as a preventive.
Septoria leaf spot
Many small tan spots with dark brown edges, low leaves first, no rings inside.
Organic fix: Strip the lowest leaves, mulch against soil splash, stake for airflow.
Your season math: Colorado gives cherry tomatoes about 143 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 57 days to a first harvest. It's a one-planting crop, so time that single sowing well.
Planting cherry tomatoes in Colorado: questions
When should I plant cherry tomatoes in Colorado?+
In a typical Colorado year, sow cherry tomatoes or set out transplants between May 16 to Jul 16, keyed to the state's median last frost around May 9. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start cherry tomatoes seeds indoors in Colorado?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Apr 4 to Jun 4 for a typical Colorado season.
What USDA zone is Colorado?+
Colorado spans zones 5a–7a, mostly zone 6. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many cherry tomatoes plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.