Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomato in Australia - sub-tropical 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

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08 Jan 25, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best to grow tomatoes into the winter months. The summer early autumn time has lots of rain which is the breeding time for bugs and insects. After Easter plant seedlings.
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28 Nov 24, Miss Fortune (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi everyone, wondering if it is too late to sow tomatoes?
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02 Dec 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
PLANT SEED OR SEEDLINGS. The information is here if you look for it.
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02 Jan 25, John Doe (Australia - temperate climate)
I really enjoyed reading your tips on growing tomatoes! I'll try them out in my garden.
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17 Sep 24, Edythe (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I’m planting Plum Lemon Tomatoes. Do I start in trays or sow directly into the container?
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07 Jun 24, Nick Thegardner (USA - Zone 10b climate)
We have planted two different tomato transplants in our raised bed. Bed is about 18" deep. Have good soil, topped with compost, then covered with straw. How often should we be watering this time of year? Current daily temps are around 70-75.
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10 Jun 24, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
If it is hot a good watering 3 times a week - not so hot 2 times a week. Small plants need small waterings more often. The finger test is a good indicator also.
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09 Jun 24, dan (USA - Zone 10a climate)
nick, I've read just to stick your finger in about 2 in. and if it's dry, then water. There's also fertilizing to consider. Homestead and Chill is a great website that has articles on Tomato's (deep watering/ shade cloth) and alot more. dan
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05 Jun 24, Melissa (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I started my seeds back in January and transplanted them out mid-march like the diagram said. However, it does show you can plant them in April, but I would be careful because just as they are starting to take off the heat and humidity will be setting in. Depending on the variety most plants will not produce fruit when temperatures are consistently about 90 degrees. Which we are almost there in our zone. Adding shade over them can help! Otherwise, I use the tapping method to aid with pollination :).
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08 May 24, Carla Stacy (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I’m growing tomatoes in a 5 gallon bucket. I have flowers but no fruit. Planted April 19th. Last year same thing lots of flowers but no fruit. What am I doing wrong?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 814 comments
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I was just thinking about this tomato and thought of you - Indigo Rose. FTN - The history of the Indigo Rose cherry tomato is brief and elusive. In the 1960s, breeders from Bulgaria and the United States began the cross-cultivation of wild tomato strains from South America, specifically Chile and Galapagos, with cultivated varieties - eventually Meyers completed the work on this. I have grown this tomato (and all the others I mentioned) and this girl loves heat and sun .... when all my other tomatoes were drooping from heat and excessive sun these girls where reaching for the sun. A really beautiful tomato. - they where not my biggest producers ( but my area is a little cool for IR's) - the taste and beauty of these tomatoes was unsurpased. Additionally, they seemed to need less water than the other tomatoes. INFO on these tomatoes is scarce... but I would give them a try figuring they are not as tough as the Punta Banda....but certainly a hot/sunny tomato....and unlike the PB they will require some water.

- Celeste Archer

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