(Best months for planting Tomato in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

TOMATOES

There is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked tomato, warm from the sunshine. In the smallest of gardens or even an apartment with a window-box, it is worth growing at least one tomato plant for the pleasure it will give you. They will grow in pots, troughs or even hanging baskets.

Tomatoes are frost tender and should be grown in shelter or under cover in cool climates.

Tomatoes need feeding. In a garden bed, compost and mulching will produce a crop from one or two plants. In containers, use some suitable long term fertiliser pellets or feed regularly when you water. Feeding also improves the flavour of the fruit.

When you plant out, put the seedlings in a deep holes, up to the top set of leaves. The covered stems will put out extra roots and you will have a stronger, healthier plant.

There are many different varieties of tomatoes but they all have one of two growth habits.

Determinate:

Compact bush growth, stops at a specific height and useful for containers. If left without supporting stakes, they will form a dense carpet which excludes weeds and keeps the soil cool and damp.

Indeterminate:

Will continue growing a main stem, or vine until stopped by frost. The majority of heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate.

Both types need stakes to give them some support otherwise they will sprawl across the garden.

Varieties include Acid-free, Bush, Tall, Cherry, Yellow and many others.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Tomato

Use in sauces, with fried meals, in sandwiches. Can be frozen whole or in pieces.

Your comments and tips

11 Mar 13, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

what tomatoes grow best in sub tropical queensland, bundaberg

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27 Apr 13, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

cherry tomatoes grow as weeds, also romas, in Brisbane. The smaller the easier as you can get them before the bugs do.

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22 Jan 13, Martin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Start with an application of fresh Human Urine. 1 part to 9 parts Water diluted. Do not use within approx 3 weeks of harvest for best results. It will also increase your yield 25-40% You can also try lady beetles, ladybirds. And Also try powdered Dimatacious Earth, DE

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20 Jan 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)

Is there a natural spray to use on the tomato's for the treatment of aphids. I found white eggs on the under side of a leaf

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16 Jan 13, Sally (Australia - arid climate)

I have tomato plants in they were flowering but then the flowers seemed to be falling off. I have them mulched and keep the water up to them. It is in the high 40s here at the moment and I have shade over them. I also have apple cucumbers in they are flowering prolifically but no fruit. 5 Capsicum plants only one with fruit and one chilly no flowers they are growing well can you please tell me what to do with them all.

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17 Feb 13, Charles L (Australia - temperate climate)

Yes, we've had some terribly hot weather here in Perth and a lot of my veggies quit producing....or died....no matter how much water they got. Some are recovering...starting to get cucumbers and tomatoes again - although a few of each didn't make it...half the beans died...the rest showed no signs of recovering, as in blooming, so ripped them out and starting all over....the other veggies look to be on the mend...Once the air temperature hits that blast furnace heat....not much you can do....they survive or they don't

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11 Jan 13, Charles L (Australia - temperate climate)

I usually grow a few varieties of tomatoes over the summer here in Perth (near Joondalup). Getting good results with Bonnie Best, Moneymaker etc. During the winter, the only success I've had so far is with Cherry tomatoes - which I grow on my patio. Out of most of the rain on the north side of the patio - but get several hours of sunshine (if there is any) during the day. The cherry tomatoes are fine for salads but not much else. Does anyone know of a larger tomato that can handle the Perth winter? I can keep them mostly dry...

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23 Jan 13, Elle (Australia - temperate climate)

Charles, I'd recommend Tigerella. I grew one plant in a large container in a sunny position under the patio last winter and was surprised at how well it did.

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13 Jan 13, ray (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi, i live in britain,.Our weather is changing as is most countries, try sub arctic plenty. S.A.P. let me know how you get on.

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29 Jan 13, Charles L (Australia - temperate climate)

Thanks for the tips! Couldn't find sub arctic here....but found a local supplier for Siberian tomatoes which sounds similar enough, I'll give them a go. Still looking for Tigerella in Perth. Found something called Mr. Stripey which looks identical and will see if they handle the winter too.

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