Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomato in Australia - sub-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 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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17 Nov 19, Allan Clarke (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello to all at Gardenate, I see that you say that tomatoes can be frozen, but it is my experience that on thawing they go all soggy, and will not hold there shape, is this correct. Have a great day, Allan.
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17 Dec 19, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
I wouldn't freeze fresh tomatoes. I do make pasta sauce, freeze it and then use it for all those wonderful winter recipes like lasagna. You could just peel them (by placing them in boiling water for 3 minutes), and cook them for five minutes on the stove, cool them and then freeze them to use later.
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18 Nov 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If frozen I don't think you could use as a fruit to slice etc. I think you could make sauces or similar.
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02 Nov 19, Anna (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I'm looking to grow cherry tomatoes close to my sweet Peppers and wondered if they are compatible together? Can't seem to find an answer on the net.
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04 Nov 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you can't find anywhere where it says don't grow next to each other then I would assume it is OK. Just give each crop it's room to grow. Think where the sun will be throwing shade during the day. You don't want the tomatoes shading the caps all day.
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28 Oct 19, karen maslen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there I liveiinnthe Tallebudgera Valley..near Burleigh Heads...I am an experienced gardener who ..always has had success nn Victoria growing large tomatoes but here they seem to go lengthy and spindley and do not produce large. fruit..same with the zucchini I water them every second day via an on the ground little spray..maybe i should be watering them deeply?They are in rich soil with sugar cane mulch. Please would you advise me what i am doing wrong? Regards karen maslen
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29 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I assume you are trying to grow the same variety of tomatoes. Any crop requires sunlight, water, nutrients and something to grow in - soil, water etc. 1. Tomatoes need good fertile deep soil. They need DEEP watering every 2-3 days. A little ground spray line just doesn't do it. A few comments back I gave some tips on growing tomatoes. Some people recommend you dig a trench 400-500 deep, throw in some fish heads/backbone etc, aspirin, Epson salts, compost/fertiliser. Put some soil back in and add some more compost/fert and mix it up. Still with the trench 200-300 deep plant the seedlings. As they grow fill the soil back in. Tomatoes are deep rooted so fert and water deep. 2. Zucchini need plenty of water also.
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30 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The tips were on the New Zealand site.
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21 Oct 19, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Can tomatoes grow alongside zucchini
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22 Oct 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Zucchini like to spread out .
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I didn't have much luck with tomatoes this year. They just seem to wilt and die. I can't see any evidence of pest or disease.

- SONYA JONES

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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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