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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
21 Oct 16, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
Di, you can save some seed from one or two of the better tomatoes that you buy and grow from them?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Oct 16, Dee (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Di. If you try and grow tomatoes from the fruit, just squeeze the whole tomato into the soil and cover. I believe that tomatoes have an enzyme around the seed that stops it from sprouting and growing the whole tomatoe it will rot under the soil and sprout.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Sep 16, Karl (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Best varieties for Mozambique will be HTX 14, HTX 14 Turbo and a Brazilian variety Kilele available from Agrifocus Moz. (All determinate). Kilele gave me incredible results of 150 t/ha. They are processing type and need some staking. Moz market wants processing tomato and not round type. Disease control is your main problem due to very high humidity levels. Hope this helps?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Dec 16, Derek Bennett (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Dear Karl. I am an ex Zim farmer, 76 yrs old and need to do something to provide for my wife when I m gone. Tomatoes up north in Moz have very good prices. . Any advice you can give me would be truly appreciated. Best regards Derek Bennett
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Oct 16, Derek Bennett (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. We are in Southern Mozambique, near the coast . We are looking for tomato varities to handle our humid condtions, and should have good leaf cover. Regards Derek Bennett
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Sep 16, Robert (Australia - tropical climate)
How do you control green stink bugs?
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Oct 16, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, The best way is to squash them by hand in the evenings (or use gloves if you're squeamish), they are easier to catch later in the day. You end up decimating the population and at the same time you inspect the plant (when you are looking for the bugs). It takes 3 or 4 nights, then they are gone.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Sep 16, Bob Billingham (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Cairns Nth Qld, which are the best varieties of tomato to grow in my area? Can I grow tomatoes all year if which varieties. Cheers Bob
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Sep 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is best you ask your local nursery for the best variety for your area. Yes, you can grow tomatoes all year round in Cairns, provided you keep the plants protected during the rainy weather. You could make up a small 'igloo' with UV resistant plastic and grow the tomatoes in these in the rainy season. Do not close off the ends of the igloo as the plants require plenty of fresh air around them. All the best. Bob.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 16, Trish J (Australia - temperate climate)
The first crop of tomatoes I ever grew were sprawling over the Rosemary bushes (lots of them) and were amazingly abundant. Last year I read the notes above so planted them well away from the Rosemary - they received heaps of TLC - i.e. straw on the ground, good moisture and according to instructions - two separate locations, one lot in straw bale the other in garden bed... just didn't do a well, were not abundant and were very hit and miss. Back to the Rosemary this year and I haven't decided where else yet.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 381 - 390 of 811 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.