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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19 Jun 13, Dean (Australia - temperate climate)
I have two tomato plants growing in Emerald QLD. One is a determinate plant with tomato's similar shape to a roma and the other is on a stake(nice round tomato's), they come up by themselves. They both have good big green tomato's on them but will not ripen. Can anyone suggest why they are not ripening?
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05 Aug 13, jess (Australia - temperate climate)
try giving them more shade and water them 2-3 times a day :-)
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24 May 13, steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
how long do plants last ? tks steve
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11 Mar 13, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what tomatoes grow best in sub tropical queensland, bundaberg
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27 Apr 13, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
cherry tomatoes grow as weeds, also romas, in Brisbane. The smaller the easier as you can get them before the bugs do.
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22 Jan 13, Martin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Start with an application of fresh Human Urine. 1 part to 9 parts Water diluted. Do not use within approx 3 weeks of harvest for best results. It will also increase your yield 25-40% You can also try lady beetles, ladybirds. And Also try powdered Dimatacious Earth, DE
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20 Jan 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there a natural spray to use on the tomato's for the treatment of aphids. I found white eggs on the under side of a leaf
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14 Jul 13, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
Steve you'll probably find those eggs are from the white butterfly get some old CD's and tie them to tree branckes or overhead frames and just let them dangle so any breeze can make them move and spin around and also do a visual inspection for green catapillers on the underside of leaves etc. Also try makeing old roll your own cigerette spray it is in the book page74 Organic Pest Control by Jackie French.
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16 Jan 13, Sally (Australia - arid climate)
I have tomato plants in they were flowering but then the flowers seemed to be falling off. I have them mulched and keep the water up to them. It is in the high 40s here at the moment and I have shade over them. I also have apple cucumbers in they are flowering prolifically but no fruit. 5 Capsicum plants only one with fruit and one chilly no flowers they are growing well can you please tell me what to do with them all.
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14 Jul 13, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sally have a look at magnesium deficiency on you tube also look into epsom salts on youtube. Hope this helps
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Showing 361 - 370 of 601 comments
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Latest advice I got was this: Don't over water or feed your tomato seedlings!!! Your aim should be to deprive the seedlings of much water and fertiliser until they begin to bear fruit. That's right, when growing, feed them NO fertiliser and very little water! Just give them a pinch of Potash (Sulfate of ---) to strengthen the stem and the occasional watering when young. The trick is to make the plant think it is going to die (sort of like lowering its metabolism), so that it flowers and bears fruit earlier. You should note that the tomato plant WILL need extra fertiliser/water once it begins to fruit. You can also ripen your tomatoes inside the kitchen once they begin to change colour - there's no need to wait for them to ripen on the vine. It is said to dilute the flavour and increases the chances of letting the pesky birds get them first.

- Jaci

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