Garden Guide
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When to Plant Tomatoes Outdoors: Dates for Where You Live
Plant tomatoes once frost risk is low and nights reach 50°F, usually 3–4 weeks after the average last frost. Dates for 26 cities from NOAA normals.
Yard & Garden Desk
Covers lawns, gardens, frost and planting. We write the guides and maintain the tools that tell you when to seed, feed and plant for your ZIP.
27 guides · 0 tools · reviewed by the Data & Methodology Desk
Our standards
- Every date traces to NOAA station data or a named extension source.
- Rates are given per 1,000 sq ft and checked against at least two sources.
- Each guide is re-reviewed before its season starts.
- We say when advice varies by region, and by how much.
Sources we rely on most
- NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020 (frost dates)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023
- University extension turfgrass and vegetable programs
- USDA NRCS soil temperature network
How a guide gets reviewed
- 1Research. Pull the source data and extension or agency guidance.
- 2Write. Answer first, then the reasons and the steps.
- 3Figure check. An editor re-derives every number from its source.
- 4Review. The Data & Methodology Desk signs off.
- 5Re-review. Scheduled each season; changes go in the change log.
Contributors
Named contributors with verifiable credentials will be listed here. This desk publishes as an organization until then.
Guides from this desk
Lawn Guide
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When to Overseed Your Lawn: The Last Safe Day Where You Live
Finish overseeding at least 45 days before your first hard freeze. Dates for 21 cities, checked against extension advice, plus your own ZIP.