Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomato in South Africa - Semi-arid regions)

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

01 Sep 13, THOMAS LEEPILE (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
ARE THE HEIRLOOMS SEEDS FOR TOMATOES GOOD FOR SOUTH AFRICA? THEY ARE OBTAINABLE IN NORTH AMERICA
27 Jan 14, Sue (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can buy heirloom seeds in South Africa from livingseeds or from gravel garden or seeds for africa. My livingseeds seeds are UP! ie they grow!
30 Dec 13, Phil (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My second batch of heirloom tomatoes are ready to be transplanted. I bought the seeds over the internet on "Bid or Buy". I planted individual seeds in mini-containers and have had a 100% success rate.
Showing 41 - 43 of 43 comments

please advise growing tomatoes in a garden bed with sun in afternoon and not much sun in morning when best time to water when to put stakes in to hold and what pressure to i put on the ties we also have a lot of different wild life birds from our back yard as we live on the back of a reserve protected how to keep insects away and some of the birds how far apart should i plant them and what can i plant with them eg. carrots ect any help would be helpful. i live on the gold coast currumbin on Simpson road

- robyn mee

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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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