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

11 May 13, Derek (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Perth and I grow a variety called Taste Sensation , we still have some in the freezer from the last crop ,which grew through the summer and now in May we have another bumper crop coming along they are a very heavy cropping, early fruiting variety and so much flavor, the fruits are of a medium size, brought them my local nursery as seedlings.
23 Feb 13, Tracey (Australia - temperate climate)
Tigerella is available from the Diggers Club - they mail order seed and plants (but not sure about tomato plants) all over Oz. You could try Oregon Spring from Rangeview seed (I think it's a better flavour and stronger grower than Tigerella.
21 Dec 12, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Mulching of tomatoes is always a good practice and if you are short on stakes and have palm trees handy cut off one palm leaf strip off leaves use rib as stake replace later if needed. The reason for the chewed tomato underside are snails and during the night have a great feast and by the time you see them they are hidding on a full stomAch of tomatoes. The Slater isn't the problem he's just visitor enjoying the works of the snail and slugs. If the hole is a single small dot could be fruit fly if larger could be white cabbage moth.
21 Dec 12, allen lee (Australia - temperate climate)
The grubs you have in your tomatoes are fruit fly. There are few remedies one is organic it has both male& female attracting lure in jar.the other has a male trap and there is female attraction lure which you paint on. A leading hardware store sell net bags which I find useful tied around forming bunches it allow air in stops birds pecking them(close weave) and prevents some flies getting to tomatoes and can be left to ripen. You can use chemical spray but must take care check label instruction wear protective clothing and check withholding period.
31 Dec 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I found that mosquito bed nets work well to exclude fruit fly from tomato plants, and fit perfectly over a centre stack. You just need to weight down the edges on the ground so flies can't get under them.
21 Dec 12, allen lee (Australia - arid climate)
Blossom end rot the blacking at the base of tomatoes may be eased by using lime or dolomite water in well there is also product of the same but is liquid form which is mixed with wAter and can be used as a foliage spray if you do it this way add eco fungicide and seasol to protect leaf disease.
07 Dec 12, Irene (Australia - arid climate)
Hi everyone, I have had massive sucess in growing tomatoes in big pots (beauitiful flavour) but in a round garden I have they arent doing so good lots of fruit but by the time they ripen blossom end rot gets them! & I have also round big white grubs in round one of the platnt which I threw out! Any ideas on how 2 prevent blossom end rot?
31 Oct 12, Heather Masters (Australia - temperate climate)
My tomatoes are growing well, but they have started to exceed the 7' mark. Can I cut of the top of the bush so its not as high? Will this increase lower growth or will the plant go into shock and not produce?
05 Oct 12, shaz (Australia - temperate climate)
hi this is my third season of growing toms ,i have found that my plants don't like to much watering , i don't drench them and i only give them seaweed that's all from the moment there planted right to harvest,about every two weeks but only on soil..great size toms i had, well happy growing all .
09 Oct 12, Steven Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
How often do you water (first time tomato grower)?
Showing 371 - 380 of 595 comments

Audrey, you could try piling up tons of mulch around the plants, or covering them with agri-fleece or other frost protection sheeting that nurseries supply. Ordinary clear plastic sheeting can work too, but I've found it needs support, while agri-fleece is light and can be placed directly onto the plants and anchored round the edges.

- Chris

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