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

20 Jun 20, ben (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what fertilizer do tomatoes like ?
22 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try googling what NPK fertiliser tomatoes like.
02 May 20, Mike Begley (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I live in the Coastal Overberg Region and planted my tomato seedlings in containers during March. They seem to be doing well at 50cm. Have I planted too late to enjoy more than one harvest?
05 May 20, Anon (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Plant seeds Aug and transplant from Sept to Nov. If you planted indeterminate kinds of tomatoes they will crop over several months.
10 Apr 20, Kerry (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Greetings! I'm hoping to start a small organic vegetable garden. Would now be ok to plant tomatoes, lettuce, onion, green pepper etc. I have a partially covered courtyard so I have the option to plant in containers too. Our winters here are not too bad, lovely days, cool/nippy evenings. Please advise. Regards, Kerry.
14 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
This website is for people to look up when to plant different vegetables etc. Work out your climate zone and check each vegetable when to plant.
09 Apr 20, Amana abda seyid (Australia - temperate climate)
I am from ethiopia i went to ask some thing about tomato. My seedling is falldown and gridling of stem at the base in the green house .how can manage these diseases.
14 Apr 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Had to say what your problem is, too much water, too little water, too hot. Maybe start again.
30 Mar 20, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
For tomatoes what is the best ph level
31 Mar 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
6.5 is a common pH level for vegetables and works for tomatoes.
Showing 141 - 150 of 811 comments

I am also from the Central Highlands, though this will be my first year trying tomatoes here. A lady with many years of gardening experience recently told me that tomatoes shouldn't be planted out here until Melbourne Cup day (5th November). It's simply too cold before then, especially overnight, and late frosts are still possible in October. For best results you should raise seedlings beside a sunny window or in a greenhouse in late September - early October, to plant out in early November. Or simply buy seedlings from a nursery - this is a much easier option but the number of varieties they sell is limited. I have researched on cold-tolerant varieties for this season and here are three that I am trying this year: Siberian, Stupice, and Swift. You may want to try to look for these varieties as they will probably be better adapted for this climate. Generally, any variety from Northern Europe is probably better to plant than typical Australian varieties, which are bred for hotter climates. Finally, make sure you are feeding them correctly. A high Nitrogen fertiliser is necessary early on, but once it puts on flowers you want to only feed it with one high in Phosphorus and Potassium. There are very few of these fertilisers that seem to be available at the big box stores (many have way too much N) but something like liquid potash or a 'flowers / bloom' labelled fertiliser should work. Make sure to include some organic fertiliser or organic compost when planting out your seeds / seedlings as well, so that your soil is not deficient in trace elements. I hope at least some of this advice helps and that you end up with a bumper crop this year. Tomatoes are probably harder to grow here than elsewhere but I have also been told there are less pest problems than up towards the tropics. Best of luck!

- Prometheus

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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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