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 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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23 Oct 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I believe I used to live in zone 10a when I lived in Los Angeles (Van Nuys). I *did* manage to grow some tomatoes over winter a couple of times, though I'm not sure it was worth it.
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26 Oct 20, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
It wasn't worth it because you planted out of season. By the planting guide - plant late winter early spring for a summer crop.
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26 Oct 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
There was more to my reply, recommending varieties (esp Glacier) and alternative approaches, but I'm not sure what happened to it. Maybe I wrote too much info. (Gardenate : Part of the last sentence was missing in your previous reply)
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02 Oct 20, Ray Golimo (USA - Zone 10a climate)
When is the best time to grow tomatoes in zone 10A?
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06 Sep 20, Lou (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Is the July and August direct sun to much for tomato plants? My plants get to about 12 inches high then the leaves begin to shrivel up. Thanks, Lou
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09 Sep 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Tomatoes need to be planted deep and then watered deep. A really good watering 3-4 times a week. If your climate is really hot and or dry then maybe plant a bit earlier to avoid the hottest part of summer.
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30 Aug 20, Pam hohenstreet (USA - Zone 6a climate)
What is the biggest tomato best grown here? What is the meatiest large canning tomato?
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31 Aug 20, Liz (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Google or use DuckDuckGo and search for 'large meaty tomato varieties' .
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18 Aug 20, Jane (USA - Zone 9a climate)
What are the best tomatoes to grow in 9a to slice in salads and sandwiches?
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19 Aug 20, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Look at the different tomatoes on a seed selling website that might suit your climate. Most varieties would grow in your area probably. The more important thing is plant them the right time of year.
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List of tomato diseases. ( Wikipedia ). Tomato cultivars vary widely in their resistance to disease. Modern hybrids focus on improving disease resistance over the heirloom plants. Various forms of mildew and blight are also common tomato afflictions, which is why tomato cultivars are often marked with a combination of letters which refer to specific disease resistance. The most common letters are: V - verticillium wilt, F - fusarium wilt strain I, FF - fusarium wilt strain I & II, N - nematodes, T - tobacco mosaic virus, and A - alternaria. Another particularly dreaded disease is curly top, carried by the beet leafhopper, which interrupts the lifecycle, ruining a nightshade plant as a crop. As the name implies, it has the symptom of making the top leaves of the plant wrinkle up and grow abnormally. Some common tomato pests are cutworms, tomato hornworms and tobacco hornworms, aphids, cabbage loopers, whiteflies, tomato fruitworms, flea beetles, red spider mite, slugs,[6] and Colorado potato beetles.

- Perry

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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.
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