Ok, thanks. That puts me in the ballpark. Looks like my last frost is around March 15, so I can start seeds indoors around Feb 1.

Ed, as Killand mentioned , you need to know your average Last Frost Date by zip code. Sometimes you can plant even couple of weeks early by checking 15 days forecast when the LFD is coming soon. But the weather can change unexpectedly so you have to protect your plants if you get frost or temps in low 30s.

I have gardened in zone 7b in Georgia ( North Atlanta). LFD over there was April 11. But in zone 9a probably you can plant a month early.

Another thing to consider is the summer heat. Probably in zone 9a your spring season tomatoes will be dead by mid July. Then you can have a fall planting.

I also recently (in September) moved to zone 8a in NC. I will try to get my plants out as soon as possible and I will also grow more early and mid season. And also there are varieties that can tolerate heat better.

Good luck with your new location.

Sey

I am in central NY and can't imagine planting anything unprotected outside in March! Or even protected.

It is not the average last frost date you should be looking at but soil temperatures. Tomatoes need warm soil to grow and that usually takes some time - like weeks - after last frost to achieve. A good rule of thumb is when nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 55F.

My average last frost date is March 31st, however ambient and soil temperatures are not high enough to plant out tomatoes until at least Mother's Day, although June 1st is generally considered the fallback date.

Gardengal, I have grown tomatoes for the last 3 season in your zone ( North of Seattle) . If I wanted for night lows to get and stay at 55F and higher that would be like in July. But I used to get few ripe tomatoes by mid July.

Speaking of soil temperature I agree. I used plant when it was 47F and higher. I made that happen by covering my raised beds with black plastic around early February. But down south is different. Spring arrives with much warmer temperatures and much early and soil temps are high too. I have also gardened in Ga (zone 7b) I had no issue with warming up the soil. . Where Ed is going to Garden probably there is practically no winter and the soil stays warm.

Sey

Well, frost dates generally tell you when the soil is beginning to loosen up and become workable in the ground. In your area you should not need to worry about soil temperatures too much, as Sey said. Ed, if you plant just a week or two after your last frost, you may be able to have a 2nd entire crop, as you are prolonging the season. I've heard that's possible on Georgia, but I'm from the North, so I'm not positive. Hope all goes well with your garden. :)

Annz398, well, I agree. Where we live there's still ice and snow on the ground in March. The Southerners have it luckier in that sense.

Oh I see. I didn't realize ed had moved to Georgia!!