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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10 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Go on the internet and read about it. A couple of tablespoons of lux soap flakes in some hot water and dissolve then add to 6 l of water and spray all over and under the leaves. The leaves look like the fingers in your hand all curled up.
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20 Nov 18, Andrew S Cowell (Australia - temperate climate)
Just a quick piece of advice...avoid planting too close to cabbages, trust me, you'll have spindly tomato plants!
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20 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Normally you wouldn't plant tomatoes close to cabbage if planted north - south. The tomatoes would shade the cabbage for half the day. Try and plant tall crops together. If you want good strong tomato plants dig a trench 12-15
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23 Sep 18, David Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
What temperature should the soil be to plant out tomatoe seedlings in Melboune? It is now Sept 23. Is it too early. Thank you.
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03 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could probably grow tomatoes all year - I do in sub-tropical area even though it says seeds in Aug Sept and seedlings Oct to Jan. This website is only a guide.
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03 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide above says plant seedlings out Oct to Jan. Your answer is there.
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02 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
google it
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26 Sep 18, Darren (Australia - arid climate)
Obviously weather will be a factor, but I've been told by other Melbourne growers after Melbourne Cup for tomatoes.
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22 Sep 18, Andrew (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking for a hybrid tree tomato Variety that can be planted outside in A Tasmanian spring/summer.
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03 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 601 comments
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What I have found is the plants are getting to much nitrogen in the soil mix... Therefore :- look at burning some green material( once it drys out with paper etc) or buy a bottle of POTASH, and mix into water, and give regular feeds of it. This counters the non- flowering stage, and kick starts ya fruiting cycle on your plants ! I had the same problems years ago, and a old bloke passed this trick onto me. I now use potash to self induce my passion fruit vines, with the best results ever seen and recorded for the fruiting vines around us here.... # my own dad swore by the use of potato e manure on his! but I never found it doing much for my plants! until meeting another old hand from the market days of yesteryear. Hope it helps ya..

- Derbyiter

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