Planting Guides
When to Plant Tomatoes in Dallas: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8a
Dallas, Texas
USDA Zone 8a
Last Frost: Mar 15
Last updated: October 30, 2025
Learn exactly when to plant tomatoes in Dallas with specific dates for Zone 8a. Get variety recommendations, timeline, and expert growing tips for Texas heat.
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Quick Answer
Plant tomatoes in Dallas from March 15-April 15 for spring crops, July 15-August 15 for fall. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Solanum lycopersicum 'Phoenix' and Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'.
TL;DR
Plant tomatoes in Dallas from mid-March to early April (after March 14 last frost date) for spring crops, or late July to August for fall crops. 'Early Girl', 'Cherokee Purple', and 'Phoenix' varieties perform best in Zone 8a's intense heat and long growing season. Dallas gardeners get 255 frost-free days, allowing for both spring and fall tomato harvests when timed correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly should I plant tomatoes in Dallas?
Plant spring tomatoes from March 15 to April 15 after the March 14 average last frost date. For fall crops, start seeds indoors in mid-July and transplant from August 15 to September 1. These windows give you the best chance of harvest before extreme heat (summer) or first frost (November 24) stops production.
What are the best tomato varieties for Dallas Zone 8a heat?
Solanum lycopersicum 'Phoenix', Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl', and Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple' are my top recommendations after 40+ years of Dallas gardening. 'Phoenix' handles summer heat best, 'Early Girl' gives reliable spring harvests, and 'Cherokee Purple' provides exceptional flavor with good heat tolerance. Avoid European heirlooms like 'Brandywine' which can't handle Texas heat.
How do I prevent blossom end rot in Dallas clay soil?
Blossom end rot in Dallas clay soil comes from inconsistent watering, not calcium deficiency. Install drip irrigation to maintain steady moisture levels, and add gypsum (calcium sulfate) at planting time. Heavy mulching helps regulate soil moisture in our clay. The key is preventing the wet-dry cycles that clay soil promotes, which blocks calcium uptake even when it's present in soil.
Why do my tomatoes stop producing fruit in July?
Tomato flowers drop when night temperatures stay above 75°F (24°C) and day temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C)—normal for Dallas summers. This is physiological, not a problem you can fix. Plant heat-tolerant varieties like Solanum lycopersicum 'Phoenix' for summer production, or focus on spring and fall crops when temperatures are more favorable for fruit set.
Should I grow spring or fall tomatoes in Dallas?
Both, but fall often performs better. Spring tomatoes (planted March-April) give you harvest before summer heat shuts things down. Fall tomatoes (planted July-August) benefit from gradually cooling temperatures and often have better flavor due to cool nights that concentrate sugars. I always plant both seasons to maximize harvest from our 255-day growing season.
How deep should I plant tomato transplants in Dallas?
Plant deeper than you would up north—bury 2/3 of the stem, leaving only the top leaves exposed. This develops an extensive root system that handles Dallas heat and irregular rainfall better. The buried stem develops additional roots that improve the plant's ability to find water and nutrients in our challenging clay soil.
Do I need shade cloth for tomatoes in Dallas?
Not usually, if you choose the right varieties and don't over-prune. Heat-tolerant varieties like Solanum lycopersicum 'Phoenix' and Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple' handle full Dallas sun with adequate foliage cover. However, 30-50% shade cloth helps during extreme heat waves (100°F+ for multiple days) and can extend the productive season for heat-sensitive varieties.
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James Martinez
James is a lawn care professional in Dallas who runs a small residential maintenance company. He started mowing lawns as a teenager and worked his way up to running crews for a large landscaping firm before going out on his own. James specializes in warm-season turf grasses—Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia—and knows how to keep a lawn alive through Texas summers without wasting water. He's also experienced with the transition zone challenges that Dallas faces, where warm-season and cool-season grasses overlap. James takes a practical, science-informed approach to lawn care and pushes back on the idea that a good lawn requires heavy chemical inputs.
