On average, the last frost date in Idaho is around 22nd May. So, the best time to plant tomatoes in this state is late May. Tomato seeds require a warm temperature to germinate and emerge within a week. They thrive in a temperature ranging from 70°F to 80°F. Let’s look at when to plant tomatoes in Idaho?
When to plant tomatoes in Idaho
The best way to plant your tomato seeds is in pots. You should place the pots in an open area to allow some sunshine or natural light for the seeds to germinate and grow.
Ensure the temperature doesn’t fall below 75°F. Once the seedlings are one inch tall, ensure they remain moist until they are ready for transplanting. If you want to grow them in pots, get one for each seedling.
Types of Tomatoes to grow in Idaho
Roma Tomatoes
Roma tomatoes are known to give bountiful harvests. Their fruits are perfect for freezing, drying, and canning. They are harvested in summer and do not have many seeds in them. These tomatoes are tasty and ideal for sauces and pastes.
Romas thrive in small urban gardens because they do well in small spaces. They also grow well in raised gardens, containers, and indoor spaces. Besides that, they resist nematodes and wilt pests.
Brandywine
Brandywine is an early-maturing tomato variety. It is an heirloom tomato, which is easy to grow and one of the tastiest tomatoes you can grow in Idaho. This type of tomato flourishes in hot weather. It produces and continues to thrive even in the heat of Idaho summer.
Brandywine takes about 60 days to grow and mature. If you are looking forward to growing tomatoes in pots, Brandywine is a great choice. However, it will stunt and eventually die due to too much cold. These tomatoes get diseased due to wetness, and they do not thrive in a rainy summer.
Beefsteak
Beefsteak produces large and tasty tomatoes. It is a low-maintenance vegetable that will not stop growing even in summer. One outstanding feature about beefsteak tomatoes is that they can be trained to grow vertically. You can grow beefsteak tomatoes in pots and raise gardens and window boxes too.
While this tomato can withstand harsh weather, it is prone to insect attacks. If you leave it for long in the garden, it is likely to be attacked by fruit worms, aphids, and stink bugs.
Grape tomatoes
Grape tomatoes do well in different parts of Idaho. Though they flourish in hot weather, even humidity and drought will not stop them. Whether you are in Southern or Northern Idaho, these tomatoes will thrive.
The most exciting thing about grape tomatoes is that you will have plenty of them in June, and they go as far as November. However, they are not easy to grow because they are prone to diseases and insects. They require extra care to keep them healthy for months.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are tasty and are some of the easiest tomatoes to plant and grow. The plant itself is not at risk of pests, but the actual tomatoes are. You have to protect them after they flower; you can use a rodent spray or netting to protect their fruits.
The best thing about these tomatoes is that they can grow with minimal watering. This enables them to grow and bloom even in summer when high temperatures.
Cherry tomatoes grow vertically and do not take much space. They are a perfect choice if you have a small gardening space. However, despite being easy to grow, they are prone to pest attacks.
Cover your tomatoes with a net or use a pesticide to keep garden pests from eating your tomato plants’ leaves and fruits. Like most tomatoes, cherries don’t thrive in cold weather below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It stunts and stops growing in winter and eventually dies.
Celebrity Tomatoes
Celebrity Tomatoes are another type of tomato that is incredibly resistant to diseases and insects, making it perfect for beginner gardeners who want to try growing tomatoes for the first time.
Use pesticides or netting to protect your cherry potatoes when they start flowering and producing little fruits.
They are compact plants and easy for first-time tomato growers. Their yield is high and usually ready for harvest in summer and part of fall.
The tomatoes can be planted in containers, raised, or in an open kitchen garden. However, they require proper watering and will quickly die after a few days of dehydration.
Besides that, celebrity tomatoes do not like shady areas, which means they will not do well indoors. They thrive in the sunshine and high temperatures. If they do not get sufficient sunlight, you should expect little harvest or nothing.
Green Zebra tomatoes
Green zebra tomatoes never lose their green color even when ready for consumption. This heirloom tomato is similar to hybrid tomatoes, making it easy to plant and grow.
You can pickle or can these tomatoes to enjoy them for a whole year. They are ideal if you love making colorful veggies because they are delicious and great for frying.
Green zebra tomatoes are prone to pests and diseases, mainly in summer. They include fungus, rot, and blight. Just plant your tomatoes at the right time and apply effective methods to prevent pests and diseases from enjoying a good harvest.
Sun Gold
Sun gold tomatoes are delicious and juicy. They are perfect for salads, pasta sauces, and steaks. These tomatoes thrive in Idaho’s hot summers, and if it rains, they get bigger and tastier.
They do well in pots and open kitchen gardens. Above all, their orange color adds some vibe to your food.
When to plant tomatoes in Idaho: Final thoughts
You should know the annual average frost date and planting zones if you are a first-time tomato grower in Idaho. Last year’s records can help you estimate when it’s likely to end.
Plant your seedlings indoors around 6 or 8 weeks before the estimated last frost date of the year. You will have seedlings ready by mid-may once you are sure frost danger is long gone.
Also choose the type of tomato to plant in Idaho carefully, some varieties cannot grow in this region.
Related Article: When to Plant Potatoes in Idaho?