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 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches 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

28 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where I live is frost free so I grow crops from early March into the winter and then from early spring to late Nov. Summer is too hot - need a lot of watering. Can also have heavy down pours of rain and be very windy also. Summer is a time to replenish the soil with some mulch/compost.
19 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant anytime from when the seedlings are 4-6" high. They will grow better/quicker when put into the ground - more soil for the roots to spread into. Keep as much soil as possible attached to the roots when planting out. In the future better to put seeds into a pot (150mm and 150mm deep) first up as then you don't disturb the soil and roots when planting out. You mention veggie planters - I hope these are quite large as tomatoes need something like an area for each plant of 750-900mm across and 4-500mm deep of soil.
20 Apr 18, Mac (Australia - temperate climate)
Very, very good advice Mike and please don't forget that Tomatoes are very shallow rooters so keep a well rotted compost around them during the summer. Don't forget to use a fungicide and Neem Oil spray to keep the white fly at bay. I have grown Grosse Lisse for years which will fruit from early summer to late autumn.
23 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have only grown cherry tomatoes the last few years - first just letting them run on the ground from early spring to Xmas. Now I have wire netting between 2 x 7' posts (7-8' apart) and plant 4 plants. I use baling twine (12$ at Bunnings) to hold the bushes up. In March I planted out some self germinating seedlings and then put some half composted mulch around the plants. I didn't do a lot to the soil - a bit of trace elements, P, lime and worm tea. The plants are going to the moon. They are now 6' high and growing 2-3" a day. I might have to extend my posts to 8 or 9' high. Never had plants so big bushy and healthy.
04 Apr 18, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I noticed on the veggie chart that tomatoes are not on the growing list for autumn. Is it possible to grow some now? I really want to grow some tomatoes.I have some cherry tomatoes struggling with things eating the fruit ,and they seem to be taking ages to ripen. I'm guessing it is this unusual weather we are having. At the moment it is wet and no sun.( Also I have noticed some tomato seedlings popping up in the patch.- might that be a sign that I can plant them ???)
05 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Late March onwards is perfect for tomatoes. I have plants 600-700mm high and going great guns at the moment. An autumn and spring crop in sub tropical.
28 Mar 18, SavegeSwagPlanter (USA - Zone 10b climate)
When should I plant a tomato plant in Zone 10b?
09 Aug 20, Sandra G. (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I’m zone 10b as well; I started my tomatoes in early February, the weather here is never too cold, so the worst that can happen is that they “overwinter “ and wake in the springtime. I had volunteer tomatoes come up in OCT & NOV and they just grew slowly in a container until they woke in mid mid March and then grew vigorously in April and they’re still giving fruit. These were cherry and Roma tomatoes. I’ve also been sowing seeds every two weeks with determinant (New York, Purple Russian & beefsteak) tomatoes. I freeze all the overages for winter. So, basically, in 10b in southern Cali you can plant anytime and you’ll be fine.
24 Mar 18, Maree (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow tomatoes in adelaide in winter
17 Mar 18, jaheda (Australia - temperate climate)
my aunt rubys german green tomato has been producing a lot of fruit. one of the branches had a slight tear because of too many tomatoes. what should i do?
Showing 251 - 260 of 804 comments

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