When is the best time to plant tomatoes?

Tomato is a vegetable rich in nutritional value and is loved by many people who are losing weight. Tomatoes can not only be fried, but also eaten cold or raw, all of which have unique flavors. There are many farmers in China who grow tomatoes, and the most suitable time to plant tomatoes depends on the regional environment. Let’s learn when is the best time to plant tomatoes?

1. Spring planting

Spring is a major season for tomato cultivation , with sowing usually taking place between March and May. During this period, the temperature gradually rises and the sunshine time is longer, which is conducive to the growth and development of tomatoes. For example, in Shenyang, located at 41 degrees north latitude, spring tomatoes are sown and raised in protected areas in February and then planted in the open field after the late frost in early May.

2. Autumn planting

Autumn is also a suitable season for planting tomatoes, which are generally sown from July to September. Tomatoes planted in autumn are mostly grown in greenhouses to ensure suitable growing temperature and light conditions. Tomatoes planted in the fall can be harvested during the winter, extending the tomato supply period.

3. Winter planting

In some warm climates, tomatoes can also be sown in November in the winter. This is usually suitable for areas with warm and frost-free winters, or in protected areas such as greenhouses and sheds.

4. Temperature requirements

Tomato is a thermophilic crop and can adapt to a wide temperature range. Generally, it can grow in temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius. The most suitable temperature during the growing period is 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, while the most suitable ground temperature is 20 to 23 degrees Celsius. When the local temperature drops to 6 degrees Celsius, root growth stops.

5. Lighting requirements

Tomatoes are light-loving crops, but most varieties are not strict about sunlight requirements and do not require a specific light cycle. No light is required during the germination stage, but sufficient light is required during the seedling stage, flowering stage and fruiting stage. Insufficient light will affect flower bud differentiation, fruit development and final yield.

To sum up, tomato is a crop that has certain requirements for temperature and light, and its planting time mainly depends on local climatic conditions. The planting time of tomatoes is mainly concentrated in spring and autumn. Spring planting is usually from March to May, autumn planting is from July to September, and winter sowing is suitable for warm climate areas or protected areas.