The Best Time to Plant Tomatoes in Oklahoma

Vine-ripened tomatoes are a summertime staple.

Oklahoma weather agrees with tomatoes. In fact, the largest tomato on record grew in Edmond, Oklahoma in 1986, and weighed nearly 8 lbs. Still, tomatoes are often finicky about their growing temperatures. Plant at the right time and enjoy sun-warmed tomatoes from your backyard.

Nursery-Grown Tomatoes

Never pull on the plant's foliage when removing it from a container.

Plant nursery-grown tomatoes when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, soil temperatures reach 60 degrees in southern Oklahoma during the first week of April. In northwestern Oklahoma, soil temperatures are generally good for planting during the last week of April.

Seed-Grown Tomatoes

Starting tomatoes indoors gives them a jump on the growing season.

Tomato seedlings first grow two baby leaves, or cotyledons. After the cotyledons, the tomato seedling grows a set of true leaves. Wait until tomato seedlings have grown a set of true leaves and soil temperatures reach 60 degrees before transplanting them into the garden. If you started the tomatoes inside, expose them to the outdoors gradually--a process called hardening.

Planting Weather

Separate the roots of seedlings carefully.

Avoid planting tomatoes in the morning, when the newly planted tomato must immediately endure the afternoon heat. Instead, set out tomato plants in the early evening or on cloudy, overcast days. This reduces the tomato's transplant stress.

References

• Oklahoma 4-H: Oklahoma Vegetable of the Month: Tomatoes
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden
• University of Cincinnati Clermont: Angiosperms

Resources

• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide