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

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24 Nov 17, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, doing that really works and I have been doing this all year. I also grow plants from tomato slices placed in seed raising mix. Wonderful results.
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03 Nov 17, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there, to tie up all my tomatoes etc I have used an old cotton/polyester sheet that I have torn into strips about 2cm wide. You get heaps of “ribbons “ and can even buy an old sheet from vinnies for $6. The polyester makes them last and they are soft on stems unlike twine and the like. Also old stockings are excellent! Cheers.
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06 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have used old clothes sheets towels all my life. I'm now trying a couple of posts with wire mesh between them. Train the plant in and out of the wire mesh and can use twine etc to support them also. Saves having dozens of pieces of cloth.
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01 Nov 17, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I love tomatoes but don't have any luck growing them without white fly or aphids impregnating them. I've tried white oil but with no luck. Does someone out there have the solution as I love growing them and especially eating them. Cheers
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03 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try a mix of LUX soap flakes. Mix 2 table spoons of flakes with 500mls of warm/hot water. Then mix with 5 liters of water and spray both sides of the leaves - do this every 4-5 days. Do the leaves curl up and not grow? Try growing in a different spot. .
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14 Oct 17, Hayley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, is it too late to sow tomatoe seeds now (mid October)?
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16 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could probably grow tomatoes all year round. Maybe better to plant some good strong seedlings - like about 6-9" tall. Next year plant a bit earlier. I transplanted some small seedlings out 2 days ago. If your soil is nice and fertile mulch around the plants and keep the water up to them.
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04 Oct 17, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello.Green shield beetles are attacking my tomatoes and sucking the goodness out if them.I have to throw them away. How can I stop this? Thankyou.
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05 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet. Maybe a garlic and chilli mix.
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27 Sep 17, Daisy Brown (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi guys, do we need to do plant successive crop for tomato?
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Showing 281 - 290 of 806 comments
See comments for all plants

You can look up the germination (seed hatching) temperature for various vegetables online. Compare this temperature to your soil temperature (even your air temperature to get an idea) -- the germination temperature needs to be met and sustained for the seeds to germinate (in addition to water, soil and presence of light for some shallow planted seeds). Most likely you will still benefit from starting indoors -- it all depends on temperatures AND which veggies you are planting - some veggies seeds have fairly low germination temps - beans, chard, mustard etc. Other veggies have very high germination temps: tomatoes, peppers etc. Remember that the germination temp needs to not only be met, it needs to be sustained. Since you can control your inside temperature - I would start my seeds indoors -- and potentially add a heating pad under the seedling tray. If you plant outdoors you can use a tarp to help warm the soil; I prefer clear elevated about 6" above the ground (like a green house) to help warm the soil when the sun hits it
- Celeste Archer

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