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

25 Feb 14, Issam (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant cucumber and tomato next to each other
15 Feb 14, sad tomatoes (Australia - temperate climate)
I know its the end of tomato season but even during the peek of summer, the tomato plants produced minimal crops. My garden is above ground and packed with manure, vegie mix soil, compost and pea straw. I feed them fish emulsion regularly but still not a lot of tomatoes. They are positioned in full sun near zucchini and basil plants except one plants which is located near cucumber and capsicum plants. What did I do wrong?
06 Mar 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Fish emulsion is good for root development but not good for leaf and flower/fruit. I use compost, dynamic lifter and powerfeed liquid fertiliser. I use seasol when transplanting seedlings to help prevent root shock. Occasionally use Seasol after that but not much
01 Dec 14, Bill (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Tomatoes don't like to be planted near cucumber and capsicum plants. It is also recommended not to plant tomatoes in the same patch as cucumber and capsicum plants for a few years afterward. I am hazarding a guess to say that this maybe a cause to your problem.
04 Apr 14, Derbyiter (Australia - temperate climate)
What I have found is the plants are getting to much nitrogen in the soil mix... Therefore :- look at burning some green material( once it drys out with paper etc) or buy a bottle of POTASH, and mix into water, and give regular feeds of it. This counters the non- flowering stage, and kick starts ya fruiting cycle on your plants ! I had the same problems years ago, and a old bloke passed this trick onto me. I now use potash to self induce my passion fruit vines, with the best results ever seen and recorded for the fruiting vines around us here.... # my own dad swore by the use of potato e manure on his! but I never found it doing much for my plants! until meeting another old hand from the market days of yesteryear. Hope it helps ya..
14 Mar 14, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
Sadly I can't offer help, but I have had the same problem. Above ground, mulched garden bed, seasol & water regularly. Plants receive lots of sun & are planted with capsicum, with lime & lemon plants nearby.
31 Jan 14, sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
how long will tomatoes produce for? (Perth, WA)
15 Jan 14, derek (Australia - temperate climate)
We have planted 5 Royal Flush Tomatoes bushes and they are thriving a producing an abundant crop. However, internal (all bushes are planted on the outer edges of the garden is a circle) all leaves and branches are dying, being eaten and there a black egg like things on a lot of the tomatoes and leaves. Some tomatoes in the inner circle are also being eaten? What can I use to spray? thank you
14 Jan 14, karen johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
is it too late to plant tomatoes from seeds ?
29 Dec 13, Melanie (Australia - arid climate)
Hi I planted Zucchini, Cucumber and Tomatoes in September, and they don't seem to be getting any higher than 40cm...they are fruiting, but I find it unusual that they are not higher now...Should I rip these out, and start again.
Showing 331 - 340 of 595 comments

Little seedlings/plants need a light watering each day - if hot twice a day. Bigger plants need a good watering each 2-3 days. For pots - you need to check the top 10-20mm of soil to see if it is wet or dry. If dry then water. The size of the plant and pot will decide how often you water. You want your soil moist not wet wet. It is a bit of trial and error until you work it out.

- Anonymous

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