Florida · zones 8b–11a
When to plant tomatoes in Florida.
Sow or transplant between Feb 10 to Apr 12 in a typical year, keyed to Florida's median last frost around Feb 3. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Tomatoes dates for a typical Florida season.
1 · Start indoors
Dec 30 to Mar 1
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Feb 10 to Apr 12
Keyed to the ~Feb 3 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~73 days later
~12 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Florida spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 11a. 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 Florida: watch for
The pests that find tomatoes here.
With about 315 frost-free days, tomato, slicing spends longer in the ground here than in most of the country, which widens the window in which tomato hornworm can find it. Scout weekly from midseason and act on the first signs.
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: Florida gives tomatoes about 315 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 73 days to a first harvest. It's a one-planting crop, so time that single sowing well.
Planting tomatoes in Florida: questions
When should I plant tomatoes in Florida?+
In a typical Florida year, sow tomatoes or set out transplants between Feb 10 to Apr 12, keyed to the state's median last frost around Feb 3. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start tomatoes seeds indoors in Florida?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Dec 30 to Mar 1 for a typical Florida season.
What USDA zone is Florida?+
Florida spans zones 8b–11a, mostly zone 9. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many 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.