Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  S S  
T                     T

(Best months for growing Tomato in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 New Zealand | for all countries
01 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
You are temperate, a greenhouse will raise the temperature in it. Most varieties would grow in it. Ask at your local nursery etc.
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09 Feb 20, WALTER (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hello, what kind of tomato variaties can be grown in East African conditions more so in central Uganda.
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10 Feb 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Look up on the internet or phone seed selling companies. Go to local nurseries and ask.
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08 Feb 20, Igna Prinsloo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I still plant tamatoes beginning February in Bloemfontein
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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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Showing 161 - 170 of 815 comments
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Lyndall, Flowers not producing fruit could be due to too much water. with regard to the height, last year I let all the side shoots grow and that stopped vertical growth compared to this year where I have religiously trimmed out any shoots from the leaf joints and my plants which were planted 23 November are between 1 and 1.4 metres high. My theory is that if you let the side shoots grow a bit it will stop trying to grow vertical because the plant needs to keep flowering and the only way to flower is to produce new growth. This growth comes from the main stems or new stems nearer the bottom of the plant. I have 4 plants so am going to let to bush out more and keep 2 growing vertical. If you let the plant grow up through the wire the possums will do the trimming for you.

- Chris

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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. GardenGrow 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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