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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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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28 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bush varieties (determinates - like Roma) of tomatoes will produce a crop all at the same time basically. Where as indeterminates (cherry) will produce over several weeks/months. Yes you need to plant successive crops if you want to be picking all year.
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18 Sep 17, Irene kerford (Australia - temperate climate)
Beef steak does not have hardly any seed in them
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07 Sep 17, John Simon-Codina (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
when is the best time to plant tomatoes in the Kilmore area Victoria Australia
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10 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here about growing tomatoes in Cool climate.
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10 Sep 17, Bru (Australia - temperate climate)
i live in Adelaide south, and sow tomato early September (i have a 6 Beefsteak and 12 Cherry in greenhouse now). I don't usually plant out seedlings till late November when they're a good 4 to 5 inches high. Having slightly colder soil where you are, i'd prob wait till early/mid December to plant seedlings.
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17 Aug 17, John C (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi folks, Looking for a seedless, or near seedless, tomato please. (My partner cannot physically handle the seeds but loves tomatoes.) Lots of people tell me they do exist (near seedless at least) but nobody I know has any clues on where to find them. I've looked in lots of catalogues but no luck. Any tips/leads would be greatly appreciated.
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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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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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