Tomato

First flower

Solanum lycopersicum

Solanaceae · annual · introduced

Last updated May 24, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

3-10 ft (determinate 3-4 ft; indeterminate 6-10 ft)

Spread

2-4 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 3–11 (grown as annual)

Bloom Time

June-September (after transplant)

Fall Color

N/a (annual; killed by first frost)

Origin

western South America (Peru, Ecuador)

Phenological Calendar

As of May 24, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2172.5 to 2394 GDD₃₂. Tomato has reached first flower (2082 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 2-inch fruit growth, predicted around Jun 15.

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 24, 2026

Station	GDD₃₂	Current Stage	Next	To Go
Issaquah / East King	2,394	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	591
Kent / Auburn	2,373	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	612
Seattle / UW	2,332	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	653
Olympia / Tumwater	2,295	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	690
Tacoma / Puyallup	2,259	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	726
Bellingham / Whatcom	2,256	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	730
Sequim / Rain Shadow	2,173	First flower	2-inch fruit growth	813

View full calendar (7 stages)

Stage	GDD₃₂	Typical Window	What to Look For
Transplant to field BBCH 12	—	May 15 - June 15	Hardened transplants with 4-6 true leaves set out after last frost
● First flower BBCH 61 NOW	2082	June 15 - July 15	First yellow flowers open on lowest truss
○ 2-inch fruit growth BBCH 71 NEXT	2985	July 1 - July 31 est. Jun 15 (avg)	Largest fruit on first truss reaches 2 inches; calyx reflexed
First ripe fruit (determinate) BBCH 81	—	July 15 - August 15	First fruit reaches full color; ready to harvest
First ripe fruit (indeterminate) BBCH 81	5460	August 1 - September 1 est. Aug 30 (avg)	Four or more fruit per plant showing typical ripe color
Peak harvest BBCH 85	—	August 15 - September 30	Multiple trusses ripening; main harvest window
End of season / frost kill BBCH 97	—	October 15 - November 15	Foliage blackened by frost; harvest remaining green fruit for indoor ripening

Sources: OSU Croptime EM 9305 (Andrews et al. 2021) ; average of Big Beef 505, New Girl 498, Indigo Rose 590, Monica 600 DD₄₅ from transplant ; average of Big Beef 1050, New Girl 1029, Indigo Rose 1094, Monica 1091 DD₄₅ from transplant ; average of Big Beef 1970, New Girl 1844, Indigo Rose 2010, Monica 1976 DD₄₅ from transplant About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 24, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 9, 2026, then climate normals.

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.