Best Tomatoes to Grow in Kansas
Kansas spans USDA Zones 5–7, typically Zone 6. We've broken out 90 tomato varieties by zone — pick your zone below or find the right varieties for your specific part of the state.
Varieties
90
for Kansas
USDA
Zones 5–7
155–210 days season
Beginner
40
easy to grow
Heirloom
46
heritage varieties
Kansas in USDA Zones 5–7
Kansas spans Zones 5–7. Variety lists below are organized by zone — start with your zone for the most accurate recommendations.
Growing Tomatoes in Kansas
Zone 6 gardeners hit the sweet spot for tomato growing – you get a solid 180-day growing season that's long enough for most varieties to reach full maturity, yet short enough that you need to be strategic about your choices. The mid-April last frost date gives you a reasonable window to get plants established, while the mid-October first frost allows even late-season varieties to finish strong. However, this zone does present some unique challenges: late spring cold snaps can still threaten young transplants, and humid summers can invite disease pressure that shorter-season zones often avoid.
The key to success in Zone 6 is selecting varieties that can handle temperature swings and have good disease resistance, while still giving you the flavors and yields you want. You'll want a mix of early varieties to get you started, mid-season workhorses for peak summer harvests, and some late-season champions that can take advantage of your full growing window. The varieties I've selected for Zone 6 have all proven themselves in this climate – they're reliable producers that can handle both the opportunities and challenges your growing season presents.
Zone 6 Tomatoes for Kansas★ Most of KS
90 varieties · Last frost April 15 · 180-day season
Zone 5 Tomatoes for Kansas
90 varieties · Last frost April 30 · 155-day season
Zone 7 Tomatoes for Kansas
90 varieties · Last frost April 1 · 210-day season
Zone 6 Growing Tips for Kansas
Start your tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, which means getting them going in early to mid-February for most Zone 6 areas. This timing lets you raise sturdy transplants that are ready to go out after the soil warms in late April or early May. Don't rush to transplant just because the frost danger has passed – wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F and soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Cold soil will stunt growth and invite problems you'll fight all season.
Season extension is where Zone 6 gardeners can really shine. Use row covers, Wall O' Water, or cold frames to protect plants from late spring chills and extend your harvest into November. Plant your heat-lovers like Cherokee Purple and Brandywine by mid-May, but save space for a July planting of quick-maturing varieties like Early Girl or Stupice – these late plantings often produce your best fall tomatoes. The biggest challenge you'll face is managing moisture and airflow during humid summer periods. Space plants generously, mulch well to prevent soil splash, and consider growing paste tomatoes like San Marzano and Roma in raised beds or containers where you can control drainage better.