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 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

30 Jan 12, Reg Parker (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Stella, Your fruit will ripen, however I strongly suggest that you rid your plants of ALL LEAVES except the for the top (3), you will notice that you have a flowering stem, then a leaf stem then a flowering, get rid of all non flowering stems, you will do yourself and your vines a great favour....leaves only pull the nutrients away from the fruit, block sunlight & air circulation , create disease and attract pests. Also use a liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a week, you will have sweeter, juicier fruit and more than you can possibly even give away. DON'T BE AFRAID TO STRIP THOSE LEAVES> Reg
13 Feb 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks very much for your advice I have been harvesting juicy red tomatoes now!!!
16 Jan 12, Irene (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted Apollo Tomatoes Improved: They were fruiting beautifully until today I saw what looks like teeny blemishes, tiny dints like pin pricks coming on them...they are still unripe and more are coming what can I do to save the crop or is this a normal part of the process. By the way we have had a lot of rain but the drainage is fine. Thank you
15 Sep 13, Jessica Vivien (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Irene, I'm in Perth, I had this problem a couple of years ago, and the culprits were green shield bugs. I could not find a suitable treatment apart from picking these off by hand. They wrecked most of my tomatoes except the cherries and a Roma. Part of the problem was that I was growing them in a spot well sheltered from wind, and too close together I think, which provided perfect conditions for the beetles. I have now build an enclosed vegetable garden covered with quarter inch netting, which keeps out the adult beetles so they cannot lay eggs around this area, and the babies would have to walk a very long way to get in. My enclosed garden also keeps out cabbage butterfly, parrots, possums, rats, bandicoots, large snails. I still have to contend with slugs and slaters though.
21 Jan 12, Bec (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like fruit fly. Try hanging some fruit fly traps around and yellow sticky traps. Had this problem last year but since hanging up a eco-lure no problems this season.
04 Jan 12, Dianne (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too late to put more tomato plants in the garden
06 Jan 12, Miguel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Dianne, I've grown tomatoes as late as December, shortly before Christmas. I've had success but got only a small handful of tomatoes. They ripened on the windowsill as there was not enough sunlight or time to vine rippen them and some tasted a little bland. So in answer to your question, you can plant tomatoes now but don't expect them to give you more than 2-3 green tomatoes each plant.
31 Jan 12, tim (Australia - temperate climate)
try tommy toe. i have grown them from february and picked full flavoured fruit through to end of june in southern riverina in frost free years.
02 Jan 12, Cathy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing Grosse Lisse tomatoes, they have fruited well but the fruit is splitting before they are ripe. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is happening?
05 Jan 12, Mudhonei (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like too much water.
Showing 401 - 410 of 601 comments

I just moved into a new house and have inherited a bit of a garden and some plants. I'm new to gardening but would really like to start growing my own fruit and veg. I have 3 different types of tomatoes - what look like plum, small heirloom ones?? and a more rounder, larger variety (no labels on any). They were a bot worse for wear having sprawled on the ground for a few weeks.... I have tried to save them... they have been staked/supported and dead, browning or "excess" leaves taken off. They do have some fruits on them and more flowers but after 2 weeks they don't seem getting any bigger/riper though leaves still seem to be growing. I'm in Perth and it's starting to cool here. Have I missed the season? Can I get the rest of the tomatos to grow/ripen? And how long can I expect the plants to fruit? Do I need to keep fertilising them, and how often? Also is what do I do with the plant when it does get too cold/it is done fruiting? leave it? Pull it out and start again next year? Cut it back? I know there are a lot of questions but I haven't done this before. ;-) Thanks

- Dani

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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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