Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Mar	Apr	May	Jun
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

30 Mar 20, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate): For tomatoes what is the best ph level
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31 Mar 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate): 6.5 is a common pH level for vegetables and works for tomatoes.
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30 Mar 20, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Look up ph levels for vegetables on the net. Then you will know for all vegies.
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04 Mar 20, Anna (Australia - cool/mountain climate): My tomato vines are full of fruit, all of it green. I've often had the problem of ending up with lots of unripe fruit at the end of the season so I was wondering it there is a sure-fire way of ripening the tomatoes on the vine before the first frosts?
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30 Mar 20, Eddie (Australia - cool/mountain climate): My dad said he used to pull the whole plant out and hang it in a shed and the tomatoes would vine ripen then finish off on the windowsill.
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04 Mar 20, ML (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Ethylene gas ripens tomatoes and some other fruit. Add a few bananas to them. Suggest you read up about how to ripen tomatoes on the internet. Read different articles. Also see if you can start your seedlings earlier in future so that they grow/ ripen earlier in future.
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08 Mar 20, anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Also most fruit take a few weeks from being fully developed to then ripen, 3-5 weeks. Same applies to pumpkin, rockmelons, watermelons etc.
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27 Feb 20, Luke (Australia - temperate climate): Any advice on best cool climate tomato varieties for a greenhouse in Melbourne between March and October? Thanks in advance
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01 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate): You are temperate, a greenhouse will raise the temperature in it. Most varieties would grow in it. Ask at your local nursery etc.
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19 Jan 20, Carol (Australia - temperate climate): To keep the slugs, caterpillars from Tomatoes and other vegetables away break egg shells up and spread around plants. Works great
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Replying to:

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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Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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