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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01 Jan 16, Derek Bennett (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
We are in S. Mozambique and would like to plant tomatoes yrear round. Please, advise best varities for this purpose, and, plants should be eelworm resistant.
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02 Jan 16, RayS (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My son lives in a similar climate. He grows currant tomatoes (Solanum pimpinellifolium) as these seem to be the only ones that produce most of the year. He sows often enough that he has plants developing all year. He doesn't get much in the height of the summer (wet season). Hope this helps.
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31 Dec 15, Del Ramos (USA - Zone 13a climate)
Will Bush Beefsteak Tomato grow in my zone? Any growing recomendations?
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24 Dec 15, peter haggarty (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
interested in variaties of acid free tomatoes for inland southeast qld area , please if anyone has any recommendations ??
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29 Dec 15, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
seeds australia online mention a miniature red pear tomato and a miniature yellow pear that they say are acid free
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15 Dec 15, Cobie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a tall yellow tomato bush with heaps of large beautiful looking tomatoes. Picked our first yellow tomato last week and the taste was good, but the the flesh was Rather mushy. My question is, did I pick it too late and need to pick it earlier or are the yellow Tomatoes mushy? I can pick them when green and make a chutney, but that's a shame.
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07 Dec 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am just wondering if anyone has any tips about varieties of tomatoes that are not troubled by birds. In my area of residence there is an abundance of both native birds and introduced species such as Starlings. They have already devastated my yellow raspberry plant, which was not netted - I was testing out the common gardening myth that birds are attracted to red fruits rather than yellows. I have often heard that yellow tomatoes are less attractive for them, but I wonder if anyone can confirm whether this is true from their personal experience.
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28 Jan 16, Jules (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there......nope...the king parrots in my area have devoured all of our yellow grape tomatoes...................love any type of cherry tomato and feed on the green unripe ones as well :(
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09 Dec 15, Bert (Australia - temperate climate)
I have lots of native birds and lots of starlings (they seem to die suddenly) None of the birds bother my tomatoes, not even my chooks which hate being dive bombed by the wattle birds.
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25 Dec 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks for your reply Bert. Glad that birds are not an issue for you - hopefully will be the same for me once all the tomatoes ripen. I have heard a lot about bird problems from gardeners in the USA but it sounds like it may be specific to birds from North America (especially Mockingbirds).
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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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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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