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

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.
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!
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
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.
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.
03 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide above says plant seedlings out Oct to Jan. Your answer is there.
02 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
google it
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.
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.
03 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet.
Showing 101 - 110 of 601 comments

I am also from the Central Highlands, though this will be my first year trying tomatoes here. A lady with many years of gardening experience recently told me that tomatoes shouldn't be planted out here until Melbourne Cup day (5th November). It's simply too cold before then, especially overnight, and late frosts are still possible in October. For best results you should raise seedlings beside a sunny window or in a greenhouse in late September - early October, to plant out in early November. Or simply buy seedlings from a nursery - this is a much easier option but the number of varieties they sell is limited. I have researched on cold-tolerant varieties for this season and here are three that I am trying this year: Siberian, Stupice, and Swift. You may want to try to look for these varieties as they will probably be better adapted for this climate. Generally, any variety from Northern Europe is probably better to plant than typical Australian varieties, which are bred for hotter climates. Finally, make sure you are feeding them correctly. A high Nitrogen fertiliser is necessary early on, but once it puts on flowers you want to only feed it with one high in Phosphorus and Potassium. There are very few of these fertilisers that seem to be available at the big box stores (many have way too much N) but something like liquid potash or a 'flowers / bloom' labelled fertiliser should work. Make sure to include some organic fertiliser or organic compost when planting out your seeds / seedlings as well, so that your soil is not deficient in trace elements. I hope at least some of this advice helps and that you end up with a bumper crop this year. Tomatoes are probably harder to grow here than elsewhere but I have also been told there are less pest problems than up towards the tropics. Best of luck!

- Prometheus

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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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