Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S S  
T                 T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Tomato in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

August: Frost tender. Start undercover

  • 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 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm 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

06 Jan 12, Miguel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Dianne, I've grown tomatoes as late as December, shortly before Christmas. I've had success but got only a small handful of tomatoes. They ripened on the windowsill as there was not enough sunlight or time to vine rippen them and some tasted a little bland. So in answer to your question, you can plant tomatoes now but don't expect them to give you more than 2-3 green tomatoes each plant.
31 Jan 12, tim (Australia - temperate climate)
try tommy toe. i have grown them from february and picked full flavoured fruit through to end of june in southern riverina in frost free years.
02 Jan 12, Cathy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing Grosse Lisse tomatoes, they have fruited well but the fruit is splitting before they are ripe. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is happening?
05 Jan 12, Mudhonei (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like too much water.
23 Mar 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
generally it is caused by irregular watering or lack of lime
28 Nov 11, Richard (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have good green growth on my tomatoes, have been fertilising them with seasol, cow dung and a little blood and bone, I have plenty of flowers but am not getting any fruit, the flowers have been out for about 1.5 weeks, how long should it take to see fruit form.
04 Dec 11, Malcolm in Melton (Australia - temperate climate)
Patience, Richard, especially if you are south of Sydney, incl. Victoria where I am. The recent cooler-than-normal days have caused the plants to "baulk" - they'll only let their babies (the flowers) out to play (to start growing) in regular (and a succession of) temperatures of 20 deg. plus. Let's now about mid-December how they are going then.
21 Nov 11, BCW (Australia - temperate climate)
Tomato and potato are the same family and carry the same deseases from one crop to the next so plant other vegies in rotation to avoid problems
15 Nov 11, Lola (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My tomatos started to fruit but now the plant is dying with green tomatos on the dead vines....
17 Nov 11, dave (Australia - temperate climate)
i would say u may be over watering them , if u dig down in the soil about 4 to 5 inches and squeeze the soil if i stays in a ball soil is ok and dose not need water.
Showing 401 - 410 of 595 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Tomato

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.