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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19 Nov 11, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
In my experience the tomatoes grow from the flowers after the flowers are done so don't get rid of them. I just usually punch out some shoots and remove some foliage to help tomatoes. Leave some foliage for protection from the sun.
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15 Nov 11, Lola (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My tomatos started to fruit but now the plant is dying with green tomatos on the dead vines....
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17 Nov 11, dave (Australia - temperate climate)
i would say u may be over watering them , if u dig down in the soil about 4 to 5 inches and squeeze the soil if i stays in a ball soil is ok and dose not need water.
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14 Nov 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing Red Truss and Grosse Lisse tomatoes in Adelaide. The truss plants have already flowered on plants 30cm & 40cm high. Should I remove the flowers to let plants grow taller before putting energy into fruiting?
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19 Nov 11, Tricia (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive planted a variety of tomatoes this year and they all started flowering before they even got to 30 cm, I have left them and they are still growing and flowering, the early flowers have set and I have some really nice looking tomatoes already, I made my own compost and have side dressed them and I swear they have grown another 6 inches in a few days :)
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21 Nov 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Tricia - that sounds promising. That's what I'd decided to do. They certainly love compost. And who wouldn't prefer home-made? Roll on delicious tomatoes!
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16 Oct 11, graham michelle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Am wondering which is the best tomato plant to grow in glasshouse on the coast in southern new zealand
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15 Oct 11, jeffrey (USA - Zone 5a climate)
found a great calendar all about tomato it is from the butte county Master Gardener program they have a great calendar out all about tomato i picked one up last week at an event you should check it out
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04 Oct 11, justina (Australia - temperate climate)
This is the first time I'm planting tomatoes. How frequent do I fertilize the plant. i'm using instsnt-gro. the container said 2- 3 months.
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31 Oct 11, Digger Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Every year I plant a tomato plant in August (cover from frost), then plant a couple in October, I fertilize when I plant them with blood and bone and then again every two months, Last year the eary plant grew over nine feet tall and I had tomatos before christmas
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Showing 611 - 620 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. 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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