I'm in zone 6 and I'm not planting my tomatoes for at least another week. My peppers may wait a week or two after that. My (amateur) experience is that when I plant early - when the GROUND is still too cold - nothing much happens. The plants may survive, but they don't thrive.

Again, I'm no expert, but that's my experience.

matthew

Get a cheap digital oven thermometer and test the soil at a 3- or 4-inch depth for 2-3 days. If it is consistently between 60 and 65 degrees or more, given those predicted ambient temps, you should be okay to plant then. If you have an unexpected cold snap, like thousands of gardeners, you'd have to protect them, but you'll have some warning if you watch weather predictions.

Once tomatoes have germinated, they can grow in slightly cooler temps than optimal germination requires.

I'm less than 30 miles to the slightly NE from you and no way would I be putting out plants now.

Our average frost date is May 15th and experience has taught me that too many times there have been late frosts, so I don't put out plants until around the first of Jume, weather permitting.

And the weather in late May into June is always unsettled so I see no reason to push the season.

Carolyn, who is envious b'c I just heard yesterday that Battenkill Creamery is now doing home delivery in Saratoga and I live less than 10 min from the Creamery, but it's said that there's more money in Saratoga than where I live, which is true, and their products are superb, but pricey. ( smile)

Thanks guys. My plants are about 1-2 feet high with blossoms right now. My main reason to plant is to give the roots some room. The pots I have them in are 4 inchs wide and 4 inchs deep. I guess I'm a little anxious but given the maturity of the plants I thought they might be ready to plant?? Not sure? I have a patio enclosure that warms up real nice. Its about 60 outside now and its about 80 in the enclosure :) This is pretty typical. I actually have a 3 ft potted early girl that has tomatoes. I have 4 ft cherry with lots of blossom. Given the heat , I think I keep the peppers indoors for a little longer

I am in zone 5. Our last frost is memorial weekend. I don't plan to plant toms and peppers until then. BUT...I/you could experiment with 1 or 2 plants if you have extra and see how they do???

Matthew,
I've got 15 in my raised beds already. They've been in for a while. Had to do some protecting when we got hit with that frost/freeze/snow last week but they're doing good. The Peas, onions and garlic are getting big too. I had to get some in the ground, the wife keeps drooling for green tomatoes.

In in NE PA, zone 5B. The old timers around here won't plant tomatoes until Memorial Day. I know one who uses the temp of the tap water to decide when to plant.

I've got a bunch of tomatoes out now in smaller SWCs, but I've been protecting them below 40 and even moved them into the garage on threats of mid to low 30s. I'm going to follow the old timers for in-ground.

...also extended forecasts for overnight lows can easily change. All it takes is a little less cloud cover than expected and the temp can really drop.

I usually plant around Memorial Day, give or take a day or two. Didn't we just have a frost this past Monday or Tuesday?

Brrr. All I know is that early this week I was wearing heavy cotton turtle neck sweaters to work because it was cold and damp. :-)

I live in an area that is usually not as likely to get hit with frost when it's a borderline frost situation (about a 30 to 45 minute drive southwest of you), while you guys a little bit north are more vulnerable. I'd wait at least another week to be safe (or safer).

Otoh, some years you get a reprieve around here and it warms up in early and mid May and stays that way. Not so much these past few years. But I guess if you're adventurous and willing to go on a rescue mission if the temps drop suddenly, it could be worth it. It's kind of a crap shoot.

Yeah, we all know what it's like to be anxious to get those plants out of pots and into the ground. It's a chore that's just hovering over our heads and the plants are screaming "plant me!". Plus, darn it, it's tough to watch those warm climate folks who already have fruits, while we're here pondering whether or not we should even get started, lol.

I can't wait to retire and move south.

Don't listen to me, every year I keep pushing my plant out date farther back and every year I keep getting nailed. Despite coverage all 6 san marzanos got nailed. Rest of my main plantings might recover - they don't look happy now - but some definately lost. Next year will try again but better protection. Plants under low cover warm up fast and that means some increase in soil temp too. Sigh.. Plant some out to try but keep some in reserve for insurance - you'll be glad you did!

I would plant the tomatoes, but not the peppers yet. And I would watch the overnight low predictions carefully for another week or so. Just be ready with something to cover the plants and you should be fine.

honestly i think I'm going to wait. I have two plants in my enclosure that have green tomatoes already. Why ruin it now. Plus I can get all that extra heat for the peppers. I did plant the acorn squash and beans. I actually put the beans in a hanging basket. I"m hoping they will grow down and adjust to the surroundings so I dont have to trellis them.

I would plant them. I live in zone 5 in North Central Kansas. I planted my first planting in my high tunnel back on April 3rd. Last year it was March 28th. I was going to plant them on the 20th of March this year, but other things came up.

I am planting out my second planting tomorrow. This is also in a small high tunnel.

I would plant others outside, but it is too muddy!

Jay