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

05 Sep 16, Hazrat (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. I'm looking for indeterminate tomatoes. Thanks.i stay in kwa dukuza.
01 Sep 16, Terry Salisbury (Australia - temperate climate)
Live in Queensland Caloundra Having trouble with Tomatoes (Moneymaker) and Climbing Beans (Scarlet Runner) Both seem to start and then when they are about 12 inches high they just die Would it be the heat Should I shade them Any answers would be welcomed
02 Jul 16, Godwin Dimech (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
For those who have trouble planting tomato, dry tomato onto hand paper towel space out the seed when dry close to end of year cut every dry seed without having to move them and plantin a deep tray about 4 inches under the house or in a shed keep the tray moist see how u go and let me know. When it comes to veges or summer fruit I have many ideas keeep lin touch and see if I can help anyone
30 Apr 16, Lesley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I am getting oxo heart tomato seeds is it to early to put seeds in and grow them,under a patio I am south of Perth Cheers lesley
30 Mar 16, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Feed with nitrogen rich fert. You can use store bought liquid fert. for quick fix or dig in manure around the base of each plant. There are lots of ways to help boost the minerals in soil, Google is your friend.
30 Mar 16, David (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
Best Tomato seeds to use in this Zone 2b Sub-Arctic?
12 Jun 18, Lisa the Transplant (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Hi David :) I am in Northern NL Canada and if you are not doing greenhouse tomatoes, actually...the Artic tomato is perfect for zone 3-4.
31 Mar 16, David (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
So, I asked for the names of tomato seeds that best grows in my region. Zone 2b Sub-Arctic? Can you help or not!
19 Mar 16, hazwl (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
My green peppers an tomatoes doesn't do well tomatoe leaves turn grey and greenpeper leaves don't look so good. I do treat them with insect sprays it helps but I get one or 2 peppers a time .
14 Mar 16, philip hope (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bright yellow leaves at the tip of the plant what is the soil deficient in? I live just outside of Gympie
Showing 391 - 400 of 811 comments

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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