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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16 Dec 14, Kevin Spencer (Australia - temperate climate)
Try Dipel, it is an environmentally friendly product which is dynamite with caterpillars.
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13 Dec 14, kevin spencer (Australia - temperate climate)
My tomatoes (mortgage lifter) are growing and flowering but not setting fruit. Are they dependent on bees? If so can I manually pollinate?
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09 Jan 15, Nathalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. I have read that before the flowers open, you gently tap the flowers branch so that they gently vibrate and that apparently pollinates them.
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29 Nov 14, Michael J Garrett (Australia - tropical climate)
As I suffer from Gout.I am looking for a non or low acidic tomato plant,which will grow in Cairns Qld Humid Clmate. Regards Mike
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31 Dec 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Michael :) I lovvvvveee non acidic tomatoes and as far as I am aware, Roma tommies are the only ones with no acid :) Good luck !!
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20 Nov 14, Shaun (Australia - temperate climate)
Try scattering a handful of lime around the base of your plants and water it in and also as Derbyiter mentioned, some ash from burnt, untreated wood. Has done wonders for my tomatoes. Comfrey tea will set them free.
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13 Nov 14, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)
Can over feeding with seasol curl new growth leaves on tomatoes.
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05 Jan 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hmmmm I am having the same problem and am also using Seasol Might try changing to another brand
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30 Oct 14, Morgan (Australia - temperate climate)
My tomato plant has been attacked by green caterpillars. I have been picking them off by hand but they are prolific. What else can I do?
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12 Jan 15, trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
Try spraying the caterpillars with Pyrethrum spray. It is a non-toxic spray that can be used on any insect pests. You can make your own (recipes found on Youtube) but I don't bother as I don't need it that often. I use a commercial concentrate from Yates. One bottle will last for years.
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Showing 311 - 320 of 601 comments
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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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