Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomato in Australia - cool/mountain 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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22 Jul 12, Kevin (Australia - arid climate)
My tomatoes have little black spots on the leaves, what is this from and how do I treat it. Also the fruit is still green but som have been stung (?) by something as they have worms in them
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24 Oct 12, JJ (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Black spots is usually "Early Blight", google it and have a look at some pics and see if it looks the same. There is not much you can do, its best to pull out the affected plants and throw them in the garbage. You can also trim off all affected branches, try keep the plants dry and make sure they aren't planted to close so lots of air can get through.
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25 May 12, malcolm (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have rosmary growing next to my tomatoes in a pot will this have a efect on my tomatoes growing in a pot next to them ?????????
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18 Aug 12, Patri (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Well, it depends on how big the pot is (make sure you have it in a 19 litre container). I don't think rosemary's got deep roots so it should be fine as they won't compete against each other for space. Also make sure you fertilize them regularly because plants in pots tend to lose a lot of nutrients. I've got basil right next to one of my tomato plants and they're both fine. They're not in a pot tho.
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17 May 12, Dani (Australia - temperate climate)
I just moved into a new house and have inherited a bit of a garden and some plants. I'm new to gardening but would really like to start growing my own fruit and veg. I have 3 different types of tomatoes - what look like plum, small heirloom ones?? and a more rounder, larger variety (no labels on any). They were a bot worse for wear having sprawled on the ground for a few weeks.... I have tried to save them... they have been staked/supported and dead, browning or "excess" leaves taken off. They do have some fruits on them and more flowers but after 2 weeks they don't seem getting any bigger/riper though leaves still seem to be growing. I'm in Perth and it's starting to cool here. Have I missed the season? Can I get the rest of the tomatos to grow/ripen? And how long can I expect the plants to fruit? Do I need to keep fertilising them, and how often? Also is what do I do with the plant when it does get too cold/it is done fruiting? leave it? Pull it out and start again next year? Cut it back? I know there are a lot of questions but I haven't done this before. ;-) Thanks
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20 Apr 12, Patrol (Australia - tropical climate)
I am new in growing things in my garden and I have some new tomato plants sprouts (I think I overwatered the first ones I had sowed) that are still on trays. I would like to know what's the best for them, I mean, how much should I water them, how long should they be lying on the sun, and if it's ok to have their a full sun final position taking into account that the sun in the NT is very intense. my previous experience makes me think that they don't need much water when they are seedlings, neither many hours of sun, I dont think they cope well with that. I also bought a little tomato cherry plant in bunnings and was doing very well until it started to be devoured by some caterpillars and some other insect I don't know... The plant has like little holes in the leaves that make then transparent (I am having the same problem with my basil)I think they are tiny white spiders, but not sure.... I haven't actually seen any bug chewing the leaves... I need help, I am a horrible gardener!!! I want to boy some insecticide, but I don't know when I will be going into town, so I would appreciate some homemade remedy. Thanks!!!
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05 May 12, ali macleay (Australia - tropical climate)
Re the holey leaves :-) There are many minute insects that chew up the leaf tissue.You can use a dilute peroxide to combat the. 1 teaspoonful in 2 cups water. Also dilute coffee is not bad. You can get a spraycan of 'white oil' and that works a treat on all soft leaf plants.If you try a small area 1st you will avoid any mistakes. The time for planting toms in the tropics is autumn so you are right in it. You must use tom fertilizer to get good tasting toms and a plant that is healthy and strong is very resistant to disease and insects.
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15 Apr 12, Rene (Australia - tropical climate)
Have just plante patio romas in pots on advice from a sales assistant. I am wondering if I have in fact planted too early ? Due to our climate i was assured they would be ok. As a novice some good advice would be truly appreciated.
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05 Apr 12, Ellie (Australia - temperate climate)
slather vaseline around the garden stakes. Ditto trunks where critters climb up. replenish after each rain or 3or 4 waterings. E.
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11 Mar 12, Trudy (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing tomatoes for the first time in a couple of years and thought I would mulch with old hay to help control weeds and conserve moisture (a jinx). I was short a couple of stakes so let some Roma grow on the mulch but as they were ripening I noticed slaters chewing the bottom side. Went to pick Grosse Lisse yesterday (staked) and a slater pocked his head out of a hole about a foot off the ground. Tommy Toes are fine. Are the slaters the problem or just taking advantage? I only use dipel but none this season. Trudy
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Further to my posts below. I have found this which I believe is the problem with my bunchy curly leaves on cherry tomatoes. It is called -Tomato yellow leaf curl virus. TYLCV. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Qld In March 2006, tomato leaf curl disease was found in cherry tomato crops in the south and west periphery of Brisbane. The disease has been found in many crops, with infection levels ranging from 5 to 100 per cent of plants. Losses in severely affected crops have been very high and the disease is a major threat to tomato production. In April 2006, infected plants were also found around Bundaberg. By June 2007, the virus was present in the Lockyer Valley, Fassifern Valley, Esk, Caboolture and Redlands areas. Since 2009 it has become a serious production constraint around Bundaberg. In February 2011, it was found in backyard tomato plants in Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands. Tomato leaf curl disease is caused by viruses in the Geminivirus family of plant viruses, and is spread by whiteflies. The virus causing this disease is tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). This virus is distinct from tomato leaf curl Australia virus (TLCV), which occurs in the Northern Territory and at several locations on Cape York Peninsula. Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Biotype B) was first recorded in Australia in 1994, it is now a widespread pest in Queensland and Western Australia and could become a major pest in most irrigated agricultural areas of Australia. Silverleaf whitefly (SLW) is also known as poinsettia or sweetpotato whitefly and in USA literature it is now referred to as Bemisia argentifolii. SLW has a wide host range (over 500 species) of crops and weeds, and is difficult to control as it has developed resistance to conventional insecticides. Biotype Q was discovered recently in Queensland. There is also an Australian native species. These three biotypes are indistinquishable in the field.

- Mike

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