Growing Tomato

Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T T T            
      P P              

(Best months for growing Tomato in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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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02 Jun 14, christo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi there, I 've got tomatoes,1.8m high.They suffered a lot fr red spider bug.I treated it insecticide called MICTA sucsesfully.They bear nice fruit bit the new flowers get dry before making a little fruit. Can somebody tel me WHY.
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26 Feb 16, hennie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
are there any signs of rot on the stems , help them along with 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts in five liters of water every two months. losing of flowers usual has only two causes , a shortage of water and or shortage of minerals , therefore ensure that water is provided and don't water the foliage but soil level , but don't over water them . Epsom salts seems to be a wonder solve them all. red spider mites lay there eggs in the stems of your plants check for any signs of damage,on the stems.
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18 Aug 16, Derek Bennett (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi Hennie. You appear to have a good knowledge of tomatoes. Please, could you send me details of how to grow toms.. Sincerely Derek
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15 May 14, allan nicolas (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My tomatoe bushes grow real healthy and get flowers and only some turn into fruit but then the fruit dosent grow and ripen Help please
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12 Jul 14, Yuri Dreason (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You grow wrong type for your climate. Try a good heirloom such as Reisetomate or a cherry tomato such as yellow pear.
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09 May 14, Bernie Bernhardt (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Thailand and would like to know the names of tomatoes best grown in this region. Thank you, Bernie.
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27 Mar 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
when I pick my appolo tomatoes they leak juice and when I cut them open they have a brown strip through the centre
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24 Mar 14, Ronald mayanda (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
How do i protect my tomato plants from getting burnt in winter with coldness
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01 Mar 14, Stephen Matthews (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been told that some varieties of tomatoes can be grown successfully in winter. Has anyone done so? What varieties can be used and what special provisions...e.g. frost protection?
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27 Sep 14, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
Cherry tomatoes are possible to grow in low frost areas during the colder months providing they have a nicely sunny position. Water in the mornings to prevent drenched soil at night. Start them off in seed trays under glass or in warm area .Ensuring the soil is rich in organic matter will heat the soil slightly as it continues to compost. I find that cherry tomatoes can tolerate the early spring including very late winter and late Autumn as they are small and do not need as much sun to ripen. Although I have not grown tomatoes in the middle of winter the local community always has them growing. Did you end up growing them and how did you go? Happy gardening - Elizabeth
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I am also from the Central Highlands, though this will be my first year trying tomatoes here. A lady with many years of gardening experience recently told me that tomatoes shouldn't be planted out here until Melbourne Cup day (5th November). It's simply too cold before then, especially overnight, and late frosts are still possible in October. For best results you should raise seedlings beside a sunny window or in a greenhouse in late September - early October, to plant out in early November. Or simply buy seedlings from a nursery - this is a much easier option but the number of varieties they sell is limited. I have researched on cold-tolerant varieties for this season and here are three that I am trying this year: Siberian, Stupice, and Swift. You may want to try to look for these varieties as they will probably be better adapted for this climate. Generally, any variety from Northern Europe is probably better to plant than typical Australian varieties, which are bred for hotter climates. Finally, make sure you are feeding them correctly. A high Nitrogen fertiliser is necessary early on, but once it puts on flowers you want to only feed it with one high in Phosphorus and Potassium. There are very few of these fertilisers that seem to be available at the big box stores (many have way too much N) but something like liquid potash or a 'flowers / bloom' labelled fertiliser should work. Make sure to include some organic fertiliser or organic compost when planting out your seeds / seedlings as well, so that your soil is not deficient in trace elements. I hope at least some of this advice helps and that you end up with a bumper crop this year. Tomatoes are probably harder to grow here than elsewhere but I have also been told there are less pest problems than up towards the tropics. Best of luck!

- Prometheus

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