Tomato Ripening and Growing Degree Days

Tomato ripening depends heavily on accumulated heat, measured in Growing Degree Days (GDD). Calculate GDD: (daily high + daily low) ÷ 2 – 50. Tomatoes need ~1300 GDD to ripen, but variety, nutrition, and day length also matter.

Early varieties require fewer GDD but may lack flavor. Use Georgia Weather calculators to track local GDD and plan planting dates for continuous harvest.