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Planting temperatures for tomatoes- nightime minimum #396067
Asked April 26, 2017, 9:40 AM EDT
Delaware County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
If you do plant, you should buy row cover because we our frost date is May 15th, and we have had frosts as late as May 30th.
My tomatoes are currently outside in 4" pots in a raised bed covered with a low tunnel made from PVC hoops and agrobond row cover that lets in light but keeps the temperature warm enough to prevent tissue damage.
The tomatoes and peppers outgrew my indoor facilities, so I had to put them outside. Since I germinated them in an unheated garage, they were already able to tolerate somewhat lower temperatures, but it would kill them to plant them in the soil because it is still in the 60's in my garden.
Once the tomatoes are planted in the garden, you should be prepared to cover them if there is a cold night in the forecast. Planting them early doesn't mean they will produce early. They will not be stimulated to grow and produce fruit until outdoor conditions trigger that condition in the plant.