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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10 Jan 17, Winnie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's probably too hot at the moment that's why the leaves looks crimped and blossoms is not opening. Try to give your tomato plant some shade and water them twice a day. Once the temperature cools down a bit, you should see an improvement. My tomato plant is doing ok so far with the daytime temperature up to 34C but they are growing very slowly due to the heat.
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08 Jan 17, marcus peter rogers (Australia - temperate climate)
why have my tomato leaves crimpling up ? I cannot find any diseases .Thanks.
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16 Jan 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There are many viruses that can affect tomatoes. 'Wilt' viruses can be identified by cutting one of the main stems on a long diagonal cut. If there are brown lines in the 'veins' it is an indicator of wilt virus. The other important consideration in tomato growing (including potatoes, capsicums, egg plant,) is not to plant them in in the same location for 3 years to reduce the risk of soil born diseases. Trust this helps.
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09 Jan 17, Joanne2167 (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, mine are crimping too. They are also not producing much fruit and not very bushy at all. I am not very good at this and don't know what the problem is but these are the worst I have had.
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07 Jan 17, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a few Tomato plants one is 1.5 Mtr but top half of tomatoes are flowering facing upwards is this a problem. Thanks
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27 Dec 16, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of my tomato plants have curly leaves. What can I do?
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30 Dec 16, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
You dont say much about your particular situaion, and I'm no expert. I had a similar issue with a potted Patio Prize but it was before I had whitefly/thrip. While I was watering it was hitting the leaves, and I think I overused tomato dust. The leaves not only curled, but they also went thick and felt waxy. Plant growth stunted and the small amount of fruit were really acidic tasting too (symptom of inefficient leaves). You should be able to rescue this plant by mulching and only watering the ground under the plant. Trim the worst couple of leaves/branches off every 5-7 days, continue as new growth takes hold. Google an appropriate fertiliser, i cant comment on that yet. New growth should take, but of course they then become a rich target for pests, enter my white fly problem as well. Gentle spray with confidor and rehash the sticky paper similar to the previous post. I'm not skilled enough to go chemical free yet.
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28 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry to hear about your tomato leaves curling. This can sometimes occur with variable weather, hot, cold, windy, but is more likely to be a virus transmitted by whitefly. Tose pesky little insects that swarm on beans, tomatoes,etc. They lift off when disturbed and then land again fairly quickly. They can be controlled by smearing vaseline on yellow cardboard or plastic; they like the bright colour. Check your state department of agriculture website, they have more information. Sorry I haven't been a lot of help.
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11 Dec 16, Ayanda (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Which season is right to plan tomatoes in the Eastern Cape,Centane.
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24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I am not familiar with the climatic zones of South Africa but imagine it would be similar to Australia. In frost-free areas tomatoes can be grown all year round. Otherwise plant them after the last frost in Spring. They are easily grown from seed and also strike readily from cuttings of side shoots placed in a small jar of water. They will sprout roots fairly quickly and then can be planted out like seedlings. protect from dryness and heat until they are established. Trust this helps.
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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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