Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        S S            
          T T          
          P            

(Best months for growing Tomato in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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

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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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I haven't grown tomatoes much - usually fairly cheap where I live. I have grown cherry tomatoes the last few years at the end of the growing season (Mar- Oct) and just let them spread all over the garden. Have had pretty good crops. This year I have staked them. I have planted Roma and Cherry next to each other. Done this twice. A row with 3 Cherry and 1 Roma. I know the Cherry tomatoes are Cherry because I just use them when they germinate from one that had fallen on the ground. The Roma I purchased seeds - can't be totally sure they are Roma. On a couple of the Cherry plants they start out big spread out leaves and then turn to very tight bunched leaves. You would think they are turning into Roma. IS there some deficiency in the soil to do this. And the Roma are just producing a lot of growth and little fruit. The fruit on 1 Roma is like a Cherry - very small. The weather here has turned cold for here, Night temps have fallen from low 20's to low teens in the space of 4-5 weeks. Last night was about 8. Anybody have any clues to what is happening to my tomatoes. Help!!!

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