Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomato in USA - Zone 5a 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
  • Tomatoes on plant
  • a)  Seedlings
  • b) 6 weeks old
  • c) Tomato Roma (acid free)

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 should be grown in shelter or under cover in cool climates.

Tomatoes like lots of food! 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 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

28 Nov 24, Miss Fortune (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi everyone, wondering if it is too late to sow tomatoes?
02 Dec 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
PLANT SEED OR SEEDLINGS. The information is here if you look for it.
17 Sep 24, Edythe (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I’m planting Plum Lemon Tomatoes. Do I start in trays or sow directly into the container?
07 Jun 24, Nick Thegardner (USA - Zone 10b climate)
We have planted two different tomato transplants in our raised bed. Bed is about 18" deep. Have good soil, topped with compost, then covered with straw. How often should we be watering this time of year? Current daily temps are around 70-75.
10 Jun 24, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
If it is hot a good watering 3 times a week - not so hot 2 times a week. Small plants need small waterings more often. The finger test is a good indicator also.
09 Jun 24, dan (USA - Zone 10a climate)
nick, I've read just to stick your finger in about 2 in. and if it's dry, then water. There's also fertilizing to consider. Homestead and Chill is a great website that has articles on Tomato's (deep watering/ shade cloth) and alot more. dan
05 Jun 24, Melissa (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I started my seeds back in January and transplanted them out mid-march like the diagram said. However, it does show you can plant them in April, but I would be careful because just as they are starting to take off the heat and humidity will be setting in. Depending on the variety most plants will not produce fruit when temperatures are consistently about 90 degrees. Which we are almost there in our zone. Adding shade over them can help! Otherwise, I use the tapping method to aid with pollination :).
08 May 24, Carla Stacy (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I’m growing tomatoes in a 5 gallon bucket. I have flowers but no fruit. Planted April 19th. Last year same thing lots of flowers but no fruit. What am I doing wrong?
30 May 24, Ali T (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Do you see any pollinators? Try using a tiny paint brush to mix pollen on each flower.
27 May 24, Victor (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Just lightly tap the flowers in order to pollinate them and they will form tomatoes.
Showing 1 - 10 of 801 comments

Tropical climate - plant tomato seeds May, transplant June and July. Your soil mix is very porous, it would dry out very quickly especially in hot Darwin. And with watering it would leach out the fertilisers. With your soil mix you probably needed to water 3-4 times a day. The wet season probably leached all the Dynamic Lifter out of the soil. Ok- potting mix has a lot of wood in it. Material like this grabs the nitrogen before the plant does. Compost would do the same if it is not completely broken down. Here is what I do, sub tropical, in the fallow season Nov to April, I dig/turn my soil over adding grass clippings, shrub trimming etc mulched with the mower. With normal rain it will keep this moist and help break down the grass etc. You can add a little D Lifter. By late April /early May after the wet season you should have some good friable soil (depends what the original soil was like). You could add some more compost if you like and maybe manures, about 3-4 (?)

- Anonymous

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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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