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

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
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.
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.
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?
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.
08 Dec 19, Julie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
something is eating my tomatoes as soon as they get a bit if pink on them. Any advice or assistance. We have put up netting to stop the birds but still happening
12 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check the plant day and night for grubs.
10 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Look under the leaves etc and see if you can find grubs etc.
01 Dec 19, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?
16 Dec 19, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
My tomato bushes are great and promise a bumper crop again this year. As my mother before me, I dig cow manure (from the shop) into the bed six weeks before planting the seedlings. My mother added liquid manure to hers as well.
Showing 151 - 160 of 799 comments

My tomato plants are ready to go into raised bed. But the temperature drops to mid 40s at night. Is it okay to plant them out yet. Thanks

- Abby

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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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