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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30 Mar 16, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Feed with nitrogen rich fert. You can use store bought liquid fert. for quick fix or dig in manure around the base of each plant. There are lots of ways to help boost the minerals in soil, Google is your friend.
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14 Mar 16, philip hope (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bright yellow leaves at the tip of the plant what is the soil deficient in? I live just outside of Gympie
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28 Apr 16, Tania (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Phillip, yellow leaves tend to mean you need more calcium in the soil.... try some chicken manure.
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10 Mar 16, Dave McGinlay (Australia - temperate climate)
I have an amazing Roma Tomato plant that is now in it;s third flowering & has produced over 200 tomatoes over the past 18 months(I just trim off the dead foliage) Lately some of the fruit has a very small round hole in them & when cut open reveals a heap of tiny eggs. Could this be some kind of wasp.? I am picking them a bit earlier now as the culprit can;t seem to put a hole in them if they are slightly unripe. Regards Dave McGinlay
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15 Mar 16, Jacqueline Comber (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds very much like fruit fly...we can't grow in Sumner because of these.
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08 Feb 16, Max (Australia - temperate climate)
my Oxheart tomatoes have worms inside them but no entry point how is this possible. It's frustrating as I'm throwing out a lot. Is there something I can do to avoid this /
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09 Feb 16, Cecile (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If I remember correctly, moths lay their eggs in the flowers of the tomato plant, so as the fruit develops from the flower, the eggs mature inside the growing tomato
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29 Jan 16, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should I pick the flowers off my tomato plants while the plants are still small?
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28 Apr 16, Tania (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Robyn. Picking off the flowers while the plant is still young gives more energy to the roots and leaves. i always pick off the first two trusses to allow for more branching.
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10 Jan 16, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing my first tomato Beefsteak or something like that can anyone tell me why do the leaves fold in or curl inwards ?? Is this because of too much water ??
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Showing 241 - 250 of 595 comments
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The KILL temperature for tomatoes is 2c. If you expect your night time temperatures to be below 4c, I would cover the tomato plant with plastic, and remove the plastic in the morning. The plastic should not be touching the plant. You can cover the plant umbrella style or tent style (fully enclosed like a mini green house). If for some reason you expect to get a really bad cold snap, I would dig the plant up, taking as much soil as possible, you can place the root ball on a piece of plastic (tarp and wrap the root ball), or on burlap, or in a pot, or in a cardboard box... whatever, then move the plant into the shed/garage/on a covered porch close to the house and keep it there until the temps warm up again. The goal when temperatures drop is too keep the morning dew off the plant, and if possible provide warmth by placing it close to the house, or in a enclosed shed.

- Celeste Archer

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