Tomatoes planting calendar for USDA Zone 8b

Charleston SC, Savannah, Mobile, Austin, Jacksonville. Average last spring frost March 15, first fall frost November 15 — a 245-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Tomatoes is well suited to Zone 8b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

January 25 – February 8

Transplant outdoors

March 22 – April 12

Expected first harvest

June 12 – July 10

Fall planting window

August 2 – August 23

Fall harvest window

October 23 – November 20

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 24″
Row spacing: 48″
Seed depth: 0.25″
Soil temperature: 70–85°F
Frost tolerance: tender
Days to harvest: 75 days

Grower notes for Zone 8b

Set transplants deep — bury two-thirds of the stem to encourage adventitious roots. Stake or cage before fruit set.

Plant near: basil, carrots, onions

Keep away from: brassicas, corn, fennel

Other nightshades for Zone 8b

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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