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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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is Magnesium deficiency. A suggestion is to put two teaspoons in the bottom of the hole when you transplant. Mix it into the soil. Or apply some around the base of the plant (two feet diameter) and water it in.
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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Apply epsom salts
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22 Dec 17, Richard Masina (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How many kinds of tomatoes
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19 Nov 17, Chris M (Australia - temperate climate)
With some arrays of flowers on my tomato plants there is a single large flower. Why is there one large flower? Would be very grateful for a reply,
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19 Nov 17, Pauline (Australia - temperate climate)
A older person told me to cut a tomatoe into 4 and plant I have never done this before so I did and wow 15 plants and the. Plants are unreal
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20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
From a crop (3-4 plants) of tomatoes ( I mainly grow Cherry) a lot fall on the ground - grub holes etc. In a few weeks/months time heaps of seedling come up. I just transplant them. I can grow tomatoes all year round.
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20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Another method is to just cut slices and place them in the soil and cover them over. Or just take a tomato or a few if small and squash them up in a tray of water - in a few days they will ferment - leave for a few days. Then plant the seeds or separate the seeds and dry them out and keep for later on.
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14 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have read that you can pinch out the laterals (the new shot where the leaf joins the stem) of tomatoes and put that in water and start a new plant. Maybe try that. Can only give it a go or buy some seeds from :The seed collection company" - out of stock at the moment. 200 seeds for $1 + postage.
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24 Nov 17, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, doing that really works and I have been doing this all year. I also grow plants from tomato slices placed in seed raising mix. Wonderful results.
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03 Nov 17, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there, to tie up all my tomatoes etc I have used an old cotton/polyester sheet that I have torn into strips about 2cm wide. You get heaps of “ribbons “ and can even buy an old sheet from vinnies for $6. The polyester makes them last and they are soft on stems unlike twine and the like. Also old stockings are excellent! Cheers.
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-- WOW -- I'm not sure HOW MUCH of each amendment (manure, bone meal, blood meal) you put in ... but it sounds like there is enough nutrition there for awhile. I am concerned about 2 things: 1. The initial acidity of the pine mulch. Tomatoes do like slightly acidic soil, but the initial acidity here could be too much. Pine mulch does however break down neutral and pine mulch offers several benefits for gardens, including weed suppression, moisture retention, and improved soil structure. 2. You need to ensure your 5 gallon buckets have a few large holes on the sides near the bottom - this is to prevent your roots from cooking. Even if your containers are in the shade (with the plant in the sun) those containers need aeration. I suggest at least 2 (and up to 6) 3" holes around the bottom sides of your container -- don't worry, after the initial soil spill, the soil will stay put even during watering. As far as continued fertilization, you could top dress with chicken manure -- that is add an inch or two to the top of the soil (top dressing) of chicken manure, and when you water this will go into the soil. Perhaps monthly, maybe more if the plants are growing fast.... I might however hold off for the first couple of months (this really depends on HOW much of each amendment you added -- for example, half a 5 gallon bucket of chicken manure, opposed to several handfuls) -- additionally, when the plants are really small... they don't intake that much nutrition , but as they grow -- they really use up the nutrition fast (think a 5 year old boy compared to a teenager)

- Celeste Archer

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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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