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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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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21 Feb 18, Gaurav (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Francie, I am not sure of the variety though I've seen something in Bunnings couple of months ago and that was specific to tomatoes. May be worth going/asking there? Not sure if this is of any help though. Good luck! Regards, Gaurav
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27 Jan 18, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)
Blossom end rot; is it potassium or calcium deficiency. I have applied two doses to the soil and watered in but my Apollo tomatoes look to be developing it. Thank you for any help.
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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is Magnesium deficiency. A suggestion is to put two teaspoons in the bottom of the hole when you transplant. Mix it into the soil. Or apply some around the base of the plant (two feet diameter) and water it in.
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Showing 271 - 280 of 814 comments
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I assume you are trying to grow the same variety of tomatoes. Any crop requires sunlight, water, nutrients and something to grow in - soil, water etc. 1. Tomatoes need good fertile deep soil. They need DEEP watering every 2-3 days. A little ground spray line just doesn't do it. A few comments back I gave some tips on growing tomatoes. Some people recommend you dig a trench 400-500 deep, throw in some fish heads/backbone etc, aspirin, Epson salts, compost/fertiliser. Put some soil back in and add some more compost/fert and mix it up. Still with the trench 200-300 deep plant the seedlings. As they grow fill the soil back in. Tomatoes are deep rooted so fert and water deep. 2. Zucchini need plenty of water also.

- anon

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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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