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

13 Aug 09, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Grown tomatoes for years. Last summer pruned / clipped quite savagely. Results amazing. 5 times the fruit and the more I trimmed the more fruit I got.
09 Aug 09, margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the Dandenong ranges, victoria, I am inspired to raise seedlings of tomato rather than plant out seedlings from the nursery. It is August now, so, is this the time to plant the seeds for transplanting to garden in late September early October?
08 Aug 09, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm ready to start my first vegie patch with beetroot, lettuce, carrots and tomatoes (applying companion gardening). Can anyone suggest a really good tomato? These so many varieties all boosting to be the best. Thanks!
03 Aug 09, MuddyKnees (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Lat year I noticed an ad for growing tomatoes very prolifically (300% !!) by some "secret" method. My first thought was " there's hardly any real secrets in gardening.. or are there?" It seems the procedure involves the eventual removal of ALL leaves AFTER the fruit has set.. and strict pruning.. The seller claims that a tomato can get all the growth stimulus direct from the sun and that leaves just use up too much of the plants resources. I'm intrigued enough to try it this summer, if only to detrmine whether it is has any substance or is just a con. My reason for talking about it here is to hear if anyone else knows of this and has tried it? I intend to have two identical pots (size & soil) and grow a normal Daydream as a benchmark then apply this procedure to a second. I have always subscribed to the belief that " if something sounds too good to be true..etc.." but being a veggie gardener I'm always open to new ideas.. mine and others.. Nice if it works.
02 Aug 09, Deborah (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted a tomato at the end of summer and have it covered with an individual green house affair. It is now huge and too large for the greenhouse. Can I plant it in the garden now? (I'm in Sydney) or should I leave it in the pot. It has no flowers but a few buds that dont come to anything.
26 Jul 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Allan, No need to pull your tomatoes - they may or may not set fruit yet with the colder weather, but if they're flowering they're still happy. Sounds like they'll make it through winter OK, and will set fruit when the conditions are right. Also when the fruit sets green tomatoes can stay on the plant through winter, then ripen when the warmer weather comes. Tomatoes ripen in warmth - they don't need sunlight to ripen, so you when they just start to turn colour you can pick then and bring them inside into a warm spot - putting them in a bowl with a ripe banana and a paper bag over the bowl works a treat.
26 Jul 09, allan (Australia - temperate climate)
i am in adelaide i have sevreral tomatoe plants growing about a metre high with lots of flowers mid july will i get fruit from them or should i pull them out and plant more later /? please help a novice cheers allan
19 Jul 09, Naomi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi everyone, I live in far North QLD it's Very humid hear most time of the year and we get no Frost in winter. I'm Growing Grosse Lisse tomatos i have flowers and fruit starting at the moment. I'm trying to find out if i need to start planting new seadlings?? or will they just keep producing fruit?
08 Jun 09, Tania (Australia - temperate climate)
I was wonderring if anyone knows where we can get seeds or seedlings to grow Winsall Tomatoes from? I have seen the name on the net and would like to get some to grow for my husband who is a Winsall as a surprise.
16 May 09, jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes i have heard of removing leaves from the plant and i gave it a go and the results are amazing, Im testing out a theory i read about it involves trimming all leave branches from the ground to the first fruit truss, then pinching out all flowers accept the 3 or 4 most healthy looking ones and leave them to grow, then when the next fruit truss comes along do the same but only leave 1 leaf set inbetween each fruit truss do this until you get 4 trusses then trim the top and keep pinching out all of the laterals that come along. i did this with Marmande and Big boy's.
Showing 531 - 540 of 595 comments

There are many viruses that can affect tomatoes. 'Wilt' viruses can be identified by cutting one of the main stems on a long diagonal cut. If there are brown lines in the 'veins' it is an indicator of wilt virus. The other important consideration in tomato growing (including potatoes, capsicums, egg plant,) is not to plant them in in the same location for 3 years to reduce the risk of soil born diseases. Trust this helps.

- John

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