Tomato in Zone 8a
Solanum lycopersicum
Method: Start indoors — Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside — Tomato needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 11–Feb 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated harvest | ~70 days after transplanting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing).
Good companions
- Basil — Basil is reputed to improve tomato flavor and repel pests.
- Marigold — Marigolds deter root-knot nematodes and some insect pests.
- Carrot — Loosens soil for tomato roots without competing for space above ground.
Where to buy tomato seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tomato" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video — results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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