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

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10 Feb 20, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If you set your climate to summer rainfall and look in tomatoes, it is right in front of you, plant SEPT TO MARCH.
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19 Jan 20, Carol (Australia - temperate climate)
To keep the slugs, caterpillars from Tomatoes and other vegetables away break egg shells up and spread around plants. Works great
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15 Jan 20, Mish (Australia - temperate climate)
We have been experiencing very hot, dry days. Up to 42 degrees Celsius. Could this be the reason that my tomato plants died? They were watered regularly & kept in the shade.
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15 Jan 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think it could just be seasonal. My tomatoes were going great (Nov and into Dec picking) and towards the end the whole plant just died off quite quickly. Same conditions as you, hot weather. In a lot of crops you can have early mid and late season varieties.
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07 Jan 20, Bill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My butter beans plants are producing lots of beans that are growing and then curling up at the ends. What could be causing this and can i treat it with a fertilizer or a spray? I also have Zucchini that the flower covers all of the end rather then the tip they grow about 3-4 inches and then go yellow and shrivel up?
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09 Jan 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Research on the internet, what causes curly beans. Go the Gardening know how webpage and read. I think the zucchinis are a bit of a mutated seed or whatever. I had a plant like that, big fat end zucchinis with a big flower. Sounds like the female flowers are not being pollinated. Try it by hand.
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08 Dec 19, Julie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
something is eating my tomatoes as soon as they get a bit if pink on them. Any advice or assistance. We have put up netting to stop the birds but still happening
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12 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check the plant day and night for grubs.
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10 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Look under the leaves etc and see if you can find grubs etc.
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01 Dec 19, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?
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Showing 161 - 170 of 811 comments
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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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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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