Field guide
When to plant tomato (paste/roma) in USDA Zones 11–13
In USDA Zones 11–13, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for tomato (paste/roma) runs from February to March, with a second window from August to September. Tomato (Paste/Roma) takes 70–80 days from planting to first harvest.
Open plannerPlanting calendar for USDA Zones 11–13
- Spring planting
- February to March
- Fall planting
- August to September
- Days to harvest
- 70–80 days
- Water needs
- medium
What USDA Zones 11–13 do—and do not—tell you
These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly 40°F to 70°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.
How to know when to harvest
- Fruit is deep red, firm, and meaty
- Fruit feels heavy and dense for its size
- Most of the cluster ripens around the same time (determinate habit)
Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.
About this field guide
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