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

29 Nov 08, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
Perry someone suggested the little moths were actually 'white fly' and should be sprayed with oil or a soap based spray as they can get quite bad. However, i google them and I don't think they are my visitors. They are probably tomotoe moth (potatoe moth) - and they didn't sound like they would be helpful towards my tomotoes either. BUT when I went out again they were gone! They were only a few around - so maybe they are seasonal and don't hang around for long. They seem to have done any damage...
29 Nov 08, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
I have four tomato plants in Sydney. Small holes are appearig on the green fruit. Also some leaves are turning yellow (lower leaves) What should i use for the small hole pest.
29 Nov 08, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green fruit is being holed 2-3 mil holes also foliage on some plants turning yellow. What do I treat the plants with?
27 Nov 08, Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
I noticed those little moths ? flying from my little crop in large numbers when I approached too, Rosie. I didn't notice any damage from them. I will see if they harm the larger varieties this time.
27 Nov 08, ron marlborough (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grosse lisse tomatoes growing in a pot in Perth, WA. Something is eating them from the outside leaving dry black holes in the fruit. Any ideas?
24 Nov 08, Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
The 10 inches ( 300mm ) of stormy rain last week didn't seem to harm my little crop. The cherry variety are 300mm high and looking healthy,
21 Nov 08, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, I have planted cherry tomato and gross lisse, they are nearly a metre high and they are planted very close together. When I water them a little bug like a tiny moth flies off and there are heaps of them. Any ideas on what they are and if I should be concerned? I have only used organic seeds and no chemicals and live south of Perth.
22 Dec 13, pat (Australia - temperate climate)
this sound like whitefly, I have been spraying mine weekly but find it hard to get id of them and they suck the life out of the leaves, has anybody got a better way of dealing with them instead of spraying?
21 Nov 08, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having problems with all of my tomatoes - the fruit is going rotten just as they start to turn yellow then they fall on the ground. I have plenty of green tomatoes but they won't ripen - rot inside instead. Would love some advice!
17 Nov 08, Perry (Australia - temperate climate)
The violent storms across Brisbane 16/11 didn't damage my little crop. The 80mm of rain was welcome. The cherrys are up to 150mm high. The marzano and roma survived the first repotting. The latest planted money maker variety is 50mm high and looking healthy.
Showing 561 - 570 of 595 comments

I live in Cairns Nth Qld, which are the best varieties of tomato to grow in my area? Can I grow tomatoes all year if which varieties. Cheers Bob

- Bob Billingham

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