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

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24 Mar 18, Maree (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow tomatoes in adelaide in winter
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17 Mar 18, jaheda (Australia - temperate climate)
my aunt rubys german green tomato has been producing a lot of fruit. one of the branches had a slight tear because of too many tomatoes. what should i do?
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18 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Put a stake in near the hand of tomatoes and tie it to the stake to support it.
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08 Mar 18, Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Australia, a tomato plant poped out of the ground I live in Albion Park N S W The plant is loaded so I need to fertalze and what with. Plant age 2 months Thank you martin
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09 Mar 18, Hamsa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We get chicken manure from a farm and we soak about 1 cup of manure to 1 litre water in proportion for a couple of days and use the liquid to water the tomato plants. You can keep adding more water to the manure. We did this on a regular basis, weekly and had a bumper crop
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09 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most of its early growth has happened so it doesn't require a lot of fertiliser. If you give it a lot of Nitrogen it will produce a lot of leaf and growth. It is requiring Potassium now for fruit production. So buy a fertiliser that isn't too high in N. What kind of tomato is it.
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08 Mar 18, Dan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have about 8-10 cherry tomato plants this year and they have grown tall. Have even special color tomato. We live in cold part of Australia (Melbourne) so frost will always be there. What will happen during the winter (ie they are going to die and I have to buy another tomato plants)? Is there anyway I can help them to survive and replant them next year ?(by bring them indoor). Is there any technique to move tomato plant from outdoor to indoor? (They are very tall, and not sure I can accomodate the size) Thanks in advance
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09 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What you do is keep some of the tomatoes when they are really ripe - seeds from the different colored tomatoes. Put the tomatoes in a bowl and mash them up - take the flesh out and just have the seeds left. Put the seeds in a container and put some water in it to cover them. They will ferment - have a white fungi scum on the top. After about 5-6 days wash the white stuff off and then place the seeds on some paper towel to dry for a week. Place the seeds in a sealable bag and put in a jar with a lid and tighten it - then put in the fridge until next spring. Tomatoes are easy to germinate and grow. Tomatoes are usually a 6-8 mth crop and then removed. Won't really grow inside - need sunlight.
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15 Feb 18, francie hancock (New Zealand - temperate climate)
what tomato do people recommend for cooler climate please
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24 Feb 18, Wendy (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
We grow short season tomatoes successfully, like Early Girl.
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Showing 261 - 270 of 807 comments
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Your Blossom end rot could be caused by the small pot. Try a 30L minimum for a tomato of up to 1m, and 50L+ tubs for anything taller. The problem in Northern NZ (Auckland upwards) in the intense heat, humidity, and constant winds on clear days that dry the soil. The soil seesaws from dry to wet, with us trying to compensate the loss three times a day, in small pots. You'll get excellent plants, but blossom end rot, and no useful fruit. I buy seeds from Southern suppliers who have clearly defined seasons in their districts. Here in West Auckland, the sun mid-spring onward is almost too strong for tomatoes (as noted in the comment from The Shore above), and the humidity is oppressive. They are part shade plants here, and 30L is absolute minimum for varieties that suppliers claim can be grown in 18L, or less. This year I'm using no less than 54L each plant, plus grass clipping mulch. So far so good. It's the only way to maintain soil a consistent moisture.

- Lee

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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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