You can find most of the basics and lots of great comprehensive info in the Tomato Growing FAQ section...

Tomato Growing FAQ

Regarding a timeline, there are so many variables, such as growing location, varieties grown and growing conditions (soil structure, weather, disease, etc.) that having a precise "manual" would be difficult.

Roughly, however, 6 to 8 weeks from seed to transplant size, then from there, 60 to 90 days (DTM - Days To Maturity) until plants are producing.

Not getting into climate , tomato time line is simple. Say you are growing in a controlled environment like a heated greenhouse.

From seeds to first ripe fruit can be anywhere from 90 to 120 days , depending on the variety.

From bud/flower to ripe fruit can be anywhere from 35 days to 50 days, depending on the fruit size and variety.

But if you want to grow them outside , in the nature there are many seasonal and geographic variables. Normally tomato is grown in the frost free window of time during the year in any given location. Even then there are additional requirement : Minimum soil and air temperature. For example in my location it is frost free from the end of March on but it would be too cold until May for tomatoes ( w/out protection). Same goes for the end of season.

So basically the window of time between two frost dates ( Last Frost in spring to First frost in fall) gives you a ball park number as how long a tomato -growing season you will have. Mine is about 7 months in theory but really 5 months in practice. So to extend my season I would start seeds inside 30 to 45 days before I can plant outside. Or buy plants from nurseries.

Sey

I see your in NC. You are fortunate that NC State Univ. has one of the best group of tomato researchers in the nation and a bucketload of information. Many of the better performing new hybrids were developed by Dr. Gardner and Kelly Ivors is exceptional with any known tomato disease. I would get a copy of their tomato production guide.