Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T T T            
      P P              

(Best months for growing Tomato in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Asparagus, Chervil,Carrot, Celery, Chives, Parsley, Marigold, Basil
  • Avoid growing close to: Rosemary, Potatoes, Fennel, Cucumber

Your comments and tips

09 Dec 20, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
You can grow nearly all varieties, cherry are probably more suited for the summer, more disease resistant. Grow the kind that you like, check internet seed selling companies, more varieties there. I feel it is better to start growing from mid-late February
24 Nov 20, Max (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My tomato plants in zone 10b (Los Angeles, CA) still continue to develop new flowers and grow a lot of new fruit. It seems like it is recommended to remove the plants at the end of the growing season... but how do I know when that is?
26 Nov 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
It is probably an indeterminate variety (will keep growing), they can keep growing if you fertilise and water them. Determinate varieties only grow so high and most of the tomatoes ripen at the same time. Depending on what your seasons are like you could keep growing it. Or if you have produced a good crop and need the ground for another crop soon pull it out and ready the ground for the next crop or season.
22 Oct 20, Gerald Swanson (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Can you grow tomatoes in the winter (Zone 10a)? Are there certain varieties better suited for winter months here?
23 Oct 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I believe I used to live in zone 10a when I lived in Los Angeles (Van Nuys). I *did* manage to grow some tomatoes over winter a couple of times, though I'm not sure it was worth it.
26 Oct 20, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
It wasn't worth it because you planted out of season. By the planting guide - plant late winter early spring for a summer crop.
26 Oct 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
There was more to my reply, recommending varieties (esp Glacier) and alternative approaches, but I'm not sure what happened to it. Maybe I wrote too much info. (Gardenate : Part of the last sentence was missing in your previous reply)
02 Oct 20, Ray Golimo (USA - Zone 10a climate)
When is the best time to grow tomatoes in zone 10A?
23 Sep 20, Alex (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, can you please tell me what the best fertiliser to use on my tomatoes and how often, Kind regards Alex..
27 Sep 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any general fertiliser will do. Dig a hole 40cm deep and wide. Mix 3 hand fulls of fert into the loose soil. Put 3/4 of the soil back in the hole. Plant the seedling. When plant is 50cm high cut off some of the lower leaves and then fill the hole up with the rest of the soil. Always give a good watering 3 times a week
Showing 101 - 110 of 801 comments

Hi David :) I am in Northern NL Canada and if you are not doing greenhouse tomatoes, actually...the Artic tomato is perfect for zone 3-4.

- Lisa the Transplant

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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