Indeterminate tomato plants continue to grow taller until they are killed by the frost in the fall. These plants need to be staked or caged as they will grow to … Although the Plant Hardiness Zone Maps are a great reference to estimate the minimum temperature a plant can survive, this is only part of what affects your growing season. My garden is right on the border of USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4b and 5a and can go either way depending on the year. Grow a Good Life is located in Maine, Zone 5b: -15˚F to -10˚F. Select varieties that are adapted to Maine’s climate and your local growing conditions. Tomatoes are best when harvested at peak ripeness. Plant two weeks before the average last frost date. The leaves and seeds are an excellent source of nutrition, but I love just to watch the plants grow . Maine on average has approximately 155 days between the last and first frost. Maine Vegetable Gardening: Keep Your Garden Growing — Plant from Spring to Fall (PDF) Early Spring Midspring Early Summer Midsummer to Fall Plant as soon as the ground can be worked. The leaves and seeds are an excellent source of nutrition, but I love just to watch the plants grow . The Best Tomatoes to Grow Where You Live Enjoy bumper tomato harvests. Tomatoes ripen over the course of several weeks. Plant when soil and sun are warm. Sweetheart of the Patio The Sweetheart of the Patio is another variety that is perfect for containers on a balcony, or deck. The Bushsteak tomato is ideal for growing in containers and small gardens since the compact plant only grows to 20 – 24 inches in height, but produces large, juicy tomatoes. Follow the planting schedules below for when to plant tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. If you want to grow the best tomatoes with the best flavor you’ve got to feed them trace minerals. This is one of the reasons why store bought tomatoes never taste as good as homegrown. You can get high quality kelp meal for your tomatoes here. Find more of our publications and books at extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu. They produce new blooms and new tomatoes all summer. Choosing the right varieties of vegetables to grow is an important part of successful gardening. Kelp meal is full of trace minerals that will help your plants thrive and produce bumper crops. Plant in late June-early July PLANTS: Broccoli Cabbage […] I've been growing tomatoes in my home garden in Maine for over 25 years. Organic gardeners with broad experience of multiple varieties recommend the best tomatoes to grow in your region.