When to Plant Tomato in Palmer, Iowa (50571)

Location

Palmer, Iowa

ZIP Code

50571

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Start Seeds Indoors Sunday, March 29, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Sunday, May 24, 2026

Pro Tip: Start Tomato seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, May 24, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Solanum lycopersicum

Days to Maturity 70 days

Mature Height 36-72"

Spread 24"

Type Indeterminate

Fruit Size Medium (4-8 oz)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Tomato in Palmer?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, March 29, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotParsleyMarigoldBorage

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

BrassicasFennelCornKohlrabi

Other Plants for Palmer

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Tomato in Zone 5a

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Palmer, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Tomato seedlings outdoors around Sunday, May 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.