How far apart should tomatoes be planted?

Space 24 inches within the row and 36 inches between rows to allow airflow and full-season access for pruning and harvesting.

How much will one tomato plant produce?

A well-managed indeterminate plant yields roughly 10 lb of fruit over the season under typical garden conditions.

When should I start tomato seeds indoors?

Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost date; transplant outdoors 2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm.

How long until I get ripe tomatoes?

Most varieties reach harvest maturity roughly 90 days after transplanting, though exact timing varies with cultivar and temperature.

Tomatoes: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates

Plant count & yield calculator

Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.

Bed length

Bed width

Crop

Enter bed size to count plants.

Seed starting dates

Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Tomatoes with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 4, transplant ~Apr 29 .

Pick a last frost date for the schedule.

About tomatoes

Tomatoes anchor most home vegetable gardens, producing sauce, salsa, and fresh slicing fruit from a single planting that thrives in warm summer beds.

Spacing & yield

Tomatoes wants 24×36 inches and about 10 lb per plant at ~90 days to maturity.

Growing tips

Prune suckers below the first flower cluster to direct energy into larger fruit.
Bury transplants up to the top two leaf sets to encourage adventitious root growth.
Mulch heavily once soil warms past 65 F to retain moisture and prevent blossom-end rot.
Stake or cage at transplant time to avoid root disturbance later.

Common mistakes

Transplanting outdoors before nighttime lows consistently exceed 50 F, stunting growth.
Overwatering during fruit set, which splits skins and dilutes flavor.
Crowding plants below recommended 24-inch in-row spacing, inviting fungal disease.

Harvest & storage

Pick when fruit is fully colored and slightly soft to the touch, typically 90 days from transplant.

Store unwashed at room temperature stem-side down; refrigeration destroys volatile aromatics.

Companion planting

Good neighbors for tomatoes: basil, carrots, parsley, marigold. Avoid planting beside: cabbage, fennel, kohlrabi.

Planting calendar

Start indoors about 6 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks after frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.

Frequently asked questions

How far apart should tomatoes be planted?: Space 24 inches within the row and 36 inches between rows to allow airflow and full-season access for pruning and harvesting.
How much will one tomato plant produce?: A well-managed indeterminate plant yields roughly 10 lb of fruit over the season under typical garden conditions.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors?: Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost date; transplant outdoors 2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm.
How long until I get ripe tomatoes?: Most varieties reach harvest maturity roughly 90 days after transplanting, though exact timing varies with cultivar and temperature.