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

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02 Feb 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Geof, could be "blossom end rot" to fix add Calcium Reference Look at ABC gardening videos, December 2008, see Johns Plot Part 1-3 about 8:15 into the video
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01 Feb 09, Domenic (Australia - temperate climate)
To Geoff i seen to have the same problem not to sure what it is im living in Melbourne.All my tomato's are gone those 3 days of 40+ degree killed everything it looks like a nuclear bomb has hit them ill love to post the pictures.
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26 Jan 09, GEOFF (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm getting a lot of tomatoes with a brown leathery rot on the base. These are suspended and not making contact with anything. Any suggestions ??
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24 Jan 09, Domenic (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i have plenty of tomato's this season but im just noticed alot of my tomatos have been eaten away by some pest it looks like a tiny tiny white fly they have been there for months.They make a small drill hole into my tomato's.And also, the bottom of my tomato's are black its very strange.Never have i seen this in my garden before. i have been using calf manure for some time.These little pests are now eating my peppers and my basil but not my cucumbers and zucchini .Could somebody help??
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01 Jan 09, sally (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too late to plant tomatoes if i plant them in the next day or two? planting would be approx 3rd Jan 09
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12 Dec 08, Liz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Whoops, but the same comments apply to a pot, Tony :)
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11 Dec 08, Anthony Robert Dawson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Errrm what bag? I am in a pot :)
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11 Dec 08, Tony Dawson (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing a tomato plant in a large black plastic pot. I have used a specific tomato potting mix and initially was watering every day. Although there are quite a few tomatoes most of the bottom 2/3 of the plant has yellow leaves. Is there any way of saving the plant to allow the tomatoes to ripen?
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04 Dec 08, Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
I found some biological insecticide among my crops in the form of a few small web spinning spiders which are thriving in the warmer weather.
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03 Dec 08, Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Rosie, I am only into my third crop of tomatoes ever. I seemed to have lucked on the ideal growing conditions. I am trying to be as organic as possible.You may find pics of pests at the google image search box, and remedies in google search. There's a short list of some villians in my Nov 14 post above, from Wikipedia. My crop is wilting a little in its first 30+ temps this week. Storms to follow, maybe.
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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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