Virginia · zones 6b–8a
When to plant tomatoes in Virginia.
Sow or transplant between Apr 17 to Jun 17 in a typical year, keyed to Virginia's median last frost around Apr 10. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Tomatoes dates for a typical Virginia season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 6 to May 6
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Apr 17 to Jun 17
Keyed to the ~Apr 10 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~73 days later
~12 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Virginia spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 8a. 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 Virginia: watch for
The pests that find tomatoes here.
A middle-length season, about 202 frost-free days, means tomato, slicing overlaps tomato hornworm for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
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: Virginia gives tomatoes about 202 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 Virginia: questions
When should I plant tomatoes in Virginia?+
In a typical Virginia year, sow tomatoes or set out transplants between Apr 17 to Jun 17, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 10. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start tomatoes seeds indoors in Virginia?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Mar 6 to May 6 for a typical Virginia season.
What USDA zone is Virginia?+
Virginia spans zones 6b–8a, mostly zone 7. 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.