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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19 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant anytime from when the seedlings are 4-6" high. They will grow better/quicker when put into the ground - more soil for the roots to spread into. Keep as much soil as possible attached to the roots when planting out. In the future better to put seeds into a pot (150mm and 150mm deep) first up as then you don't disturb the soil and roots when planting out. You mention veggie planters - I hope these are quite large as tomatoes need something like an area for each plant of 750-900mm across and 4-500mm deep of soil.
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20 Apr 18, Mac (Australia - temperate climate)
Very, very good advice Mike and please don't forget that Tomatoes are very shallow rooters so keep a well rotted compost around them during the summer. Don't forget to use a fungicide and Neem Oil spray to keep the white fly at bay. I have grown Grosse Lisse for years which will fruit from early summer to late autumn.
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23 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have only grown cherry tomatoes the last few years - first just letting them run on the ground from early spring to Xmas. Now I have wire netting between 2 x 7' posts (7-8' apart) and plant 4 plants. I use baling twine (12$ at Bunnings) to hold the bushes up. In March I planted out some self germinating seedlings and then put some half composted mulch around the plants. I didn't do a lot to the soil - a bit of trace elements, P, lime and worm tea. The plants are going to the moon. They are now 6' high and growing 2-3" a day. I might have to extend my posts to 8 or 9' high. Never had plants so big bushy and healthy.
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04 Apr 18, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I noticed on the veggie chart that tomatoes are not on the growing list for autumn. Is it possible to grow some now? I really want to grow some tomatoes.I have some cherry tomatoes struggling with things eating the fruit ,and they seem to be taking ages to ripen. I'm guessing it is this unusual weather we are having. At the moment it is wet and no sun.( Also I have noticed some tomato seedlings popping up in the patch.- might that be a sign that I can plant them ???)
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05 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Late March onwards is perfect for tomatoes. I have plants 600-700mm high and going great guns at the moment. An autumn and spring crop in sub tropical.
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24 Mar 18, Maree (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow tomatoes in adelaide in winter
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17 Mar 18, jaheda (Australia - temperate climate)
my aunt rubys german green tomato has been producing a lot of fruit. one of the branches had a slight tear because of too many tomatoes. what should i do?
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18 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Put a stake in near the hand of tomatoes and tie it to the stake to support it.
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08 Mar 18, Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Australia, a tomato plant poped out of the ground I live in Albion Park N S W The plant is loaded so I need to fertalze and what with. Plant age 2 months Thank you martin
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09 Mar 18, Hamsa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We get chicken manure from a farm and we soak about 1 cup of manure to 1 litre water in proportion for a couple of days and use the liquid to water the tomato plants. You can keep adding more water to the manure. We did this on a regular basis, weekly and had a bumper crop
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I haven't grown tomatoes much - usually fairly cheap where I live. I have grown cherry tomatoes the last few years at the end of the growing season (Mar- Oct) and just let them spread all over the garden. Have had pretty good crops. This year I have staked them. I have planted Roma and Cherry next to each other. Done this twice. A row with 3 Cherry and 1 Roma. I know the Cherry tomatoes are Cherry because I just use them when they germinate from one that had fallen on the ground. The Roma I purchased seeds - can't be totally sure they are Roma. On a couple of the Cherry plants they start out big spread out leaves and then turn to very tight bunched leaves. You would think they are turning into Roma. IS there some deficiency in the soil to do this. And the Roma are just producing a lot of growth and little fruit. The fruit on 1 Roma is like a Cherry - very small. The weather here has turned cold for here, Night temps have fallen from low 20's to low teens in the space of 4-5 weeks. Last night was about 8. Anybody have any clues to what is happening to my tomatoes. Help!!!

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