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

08 Aug 15, anna (Australia - temperate climate)
I brought some tomatoes inside last year and my grandson picked some that were not as red as the rest. I left the not so red ones on the kitchen bench and they became redder over a period of days. I love homegrown tomatoes - they are a joy to cook with - they seem to go redder and are tastier than shop bought tomates
08 Aug 15, Lola (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
my winter tomatoes are starting to ripen, but they are rotting at the top of the fruit, any solutions?
24 Jul 15, brent (Australia - temperate climate)
Looking at growing roma tomatoes this year and looking at doing multiple crops. How long after should i plant the 2nd crop of roma tomatoes to replace them once they have finished? So as soon as they die i can pull them out and put in new transplants.
28 Jun 15, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Michael, I believe yellow tomato varieties are low in acid, also find that they are sweeter (probably due to a lack of acid) and very tasty. Have grown them and made Tomato Relish for an arthritic friend -- loved, loved, loved the relish (hadn't eaten home-made relish for years due to acid There are other fruits & vegetables that are yellow fleshed/low acid. Had an uncle grow Yellow Raspberries & yes, they taste the same as red ones. Have purchased yellow tomato plants at our local Bunnings -- don't forget to keep some seeds to grown your own plants from. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!!!
21 Jun 15, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't know about the wrong time. I am just planting mine now, for Winter, and every year have an abundant crop. Summer, too many bugs. Mine last year were weli over 10ft high. Had to use a ladder to get the top ones Another tip, do NOT water the whole plant just the base. They don't like it. If no bees, use a feather to cross pollinate yourself. We had to do that on Manus Island as no bees there. Worked a treat.
07 Jun 15, kierian (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm trying to grow oxheart tomatoes and its been 12 weeks since they have been planted. I've steaked them and they are growing lushly and beautifully, flowering a lot too. I've even been keeping lower branches and suckers snipped but alas no fruit yet. I feed them every week with power grow for vegie gardens also. What else can i do to get these plants to bear fruit?
22 Jun 15, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Too cool for tomatoes, they need about 25 degrees or more consistent day temps to set fruit. Bees not required; they will grow in closed green houses!
09 Jun 15, dieter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Kierian, it could be that there are not enough bees around to pollinate them, but it could also be just the time of the year, or the plants are still too young. Do they have flowers on them?
12 Jun 15, kierian (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi thanks so much for your help. Yeah they have flowers and are growing strong. Just not producing anything. I keep them well fed and watered also. Sorry just an amateur gardener. Thanks for any help
16 Jun 15, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
Wrong time of year for tomatoes
Showing 271 - 280 of 595 comments

Hi Robyn. Picking off the flowers while the plant is still young gives more energy to the roots and leaves. i always pick off the first two trusses to allow for more branching.

- Tania

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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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