When to Plant Tomatoes in Northern Illinois?

Tomatoes are best grown in Northern Illinois after the last frost.

Tomatoes are an easy and rewarding plant to grow. They are easy to grow in Northern Illinois, but care must be taken to plant them at the proper time.

Season

Tomatoes are a warm season fruit and do best with consistent soil temperatures. It is best to avoid transplanting them outdoors until several weeks after the threat of frost has passed. In Northern Illinois, this is usually around late May to early June.

Starting Indoors

Tomatoes can be started indoors one to two months before being transplanted outdoors. This is the proper way to grow tomatoes from seed, and will give you a head start once the plants are transplanted outdoors.

Considerations

If you do plant tomatoes outdoors before the threat of frost has passed, it is best to cover them with floating row covers for frost protection. Mulching on the ground can also help retain heat and moisture.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow, Tomato