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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15 Mar 16, Jacqueline Comber (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds very much like fruit fly...we can't grow in Sumner because of these.
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08 Feb 16, Max (Australia - temperate climate)
my Oxheart tomatoes have worms inside them but no entry point how is this possible. It's frustrating as I'm throwing out a lot. Is there something I can do to avoid this /
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09 Feb 16, Cecile (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If I remember correctly, moths lay their eggs in the flowers of the tomato plant, so as the fruit develops from the flower, the eggs mature inside the growing tomato
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29 Jan 16, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should I pick the flowers off my tomato plants while the plants are still small?
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28 Apr 16, Tania (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Robyn. Picking off the flowers while the plant is still young gives more energy to the roots and leaves. i always pick off the first two trusses to allow for more branching.
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10 Jan 16, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing my first tomato Beefsteak or something like that can anyone tell me why do the leaves fold in or curl inwards ?? Is this because of too much water ??
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11 Apr 16, Digger1 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like unhappy roots. Roots need oxygen (tiny spaces between soil particles), so heavy soils (clays) or excessive watering can cause leaf curl. Both of these limit available oxygen.
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20 Jan 16, Natalie (Australia - temperate climate)
when i have an issue with tomato plant leaves I bag the leaf and take to the a garden centre, they tell me whats happening. i then go home and look on internet for a natural DIY(DO IT YOURSELF) solution. it works a treat.
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12 Jan 16, AnnonRabbit (Australia - temperate climate)
I also have this problem and was also wondering the same thing!
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06 Jan 16, Prometheus (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Peter, The conventional wisdom is that yellow tomatoes are lower in acid, or even almost acid free in some cases. So I would probably stick with the best yellow varieties you could find. There is a yellow variety of Roma tomato available that is apparently quite good, though I personally have never grown them. Lemon currant and Jubilee yellow are worth trying. There is also an excellent seed provider on ebay who I have used before for rare chilli seeds - Rahi seed bank. He only packets them in small quantities but if you contact him he may be able to arrange more bulk offerings. I mention him because I just saw that he is selling on ebay a variety called 'Italian Ice' which claims to be 'acid free.' Hope that helps, and wishing you all the best.
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Showing 411 - 420 of 819 comments
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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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