May is not too late to start tomato seeds. In fact, you can plant tomato seeds anytime in the spring. As a gardening and landscaping expert, I have seen many successful tomato crops that were started in May.
One reason why May is still a good time to start tomato seeds is that tomatoes are fast germinators and fast growers. They typically germinate within 5-10 days and can be ready for transplanting in 6-8 weeks. This means that even if you start them in May, you can still have healthy, productive plants by mid-summer.
Another advantage of starting tomato seeds in May is that the weather is usually warmer by then, which is ideal for tomato growth. Tomatoes are warm-season plants and they thrive in temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). By waiting until May to start your seeds, you can ensure that the soil and air temperatures are suitable for their growth.
Now, it’s important to mention that you should wait until all chance of frost has passed before planting your tomato seedlings in the ground. Tomatoes are sensitive to cold temperatures and frost can damage or even kill young plants. In most regions, the danger of frost is usually over by May, but it’s always a good idea to check your local frost dates to be sure.
In my personal experience, I have had great success with tomatoes that were started in May. I live in a region where the last frost date is usually in late April or early May, so I typically sow my tomato seeds indoors in early April and transplant them outdoors in late May. This gives them plenty of time to grow and produce a bountiful harvest.
If you’re concerned about the timing, you can also consider starting your tomato seeds indoors in May and then transplanting them outdoors once they have grown a bit. This way, you can give them a head start and still enjoy a successful tomato crop.
May is definitely not too late to start tomato seeds. Whether you directly sow them in the ground or start them indoors and transplant them later, you can still have healthy, productive tomato plants by following proper care and providing favorable growing conditions. So go ahead and get those tomato seeds in the ground – it’s never too late to enjoy the taste of homegrown tomatoes!
