Your comments and tips

28 Jan 16, Jules (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi there......nope...the king parrots in my area have devoured all of our yellow grape tomatoes...................love any type of cherry tomato and feed on the green unripe ones as well :(

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09 Dec 15, Bert (Australia - temperate climate)

I have lots of native birds and lots of starlings (they seem to die suddenly) None of the birds bother my tomatoes, not even my chooks which hate being dive bombed by the wattle birds.

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25 Dec 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Thanks for your reply Bert. Glad that birds are not an issue for you - hopefully will be the same for me once all the tomatoes ripen. I have heard a lot about bird problems from gardeners in the USA but it sounds like it may be specific to birds from North America (especially Mockingbirds).

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30 Dec 15, Ernie (Australia - temperate climate)

I don't think the bird problem is just from specific North American, I live in Wollongong, and my tomatoes get eaten every year fro the time they are small green until they ripen by mostly King parrots, actually have a video of one eating my cherry tomatoes when they were still green. Another bird I have a problem with is green and resembles a minor bird, but bigger actually eats the plants and leaves which are supposed to be poisonous. Go figure.

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04 Dec 15, vincent (Australia - temperate climate)

I have Tomato growing well in my garden but fruit is soft and pick,can any tell me whta i am doing wrong. Thanks Vincent

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12 Nov 15, Glenn (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Kierian, I think the most likely reason they aren't doing too well is that you have planted them in March or thereabouts and in your type of climate, tomato season is finished. A general rule of thumb for planting in temperate climate is to wait until after Melbourne Cup Day, when hopefully all the frosts are gone. so now would well and truly be the right time to have another go, also don't over prune them you really only need to pinch the laterals and maybe just not so much fertiliser, a little bit of potash occasionally will improve your fruit and only water at the base of the plant ,not overhead. Hope this helps. Kind regards, Glenn

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25 Oct 15, Margaret Winton (Australia - tropical climate)

could your please name varieties of tomatoes' that will grow and bear in tropical Queensland summer

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10 Sep 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

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!

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04 Sep 15, max (Australia - temperate climate)

I live in Ballarat ( or just a bit south) I can grow everything in the vegie line except tomatos.I use the no dig garden method and have tried different methods to grow them with mediocre results. I would be happy with some expert advise on what are the best varieties and methods please.

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11 Nov 15, Glenn (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Max, I also live in Ballarat, grow my own tomato plants and have lots of success, have number of varieties, Grosse Lisse, German Johnson, Beefsteak, Black Krim, Black Cherry and more would be happy to give you some plants and help. Kind regards, Glenn

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