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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16 May 09, jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes i have heard of removing leaves from the plant and i gave it a go and the results are amazing, Im testing out a theory i read about it involves trimming all leave branches from the ground to the first fruit truss, then pinching out all flowers accept the 3 or 4 most healthy looking ones and leave them to grow, then when the next fruit truss comes along do the same but only leave 1 leaf set inbetween each fruit truss do this until you get 4 trusses then trim the top and keep pinching out all of the laterals that come along. i did this with Marmande and Big boy's.
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02 May 09, Emma (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Annie, If you have loads of green tomatoes then pick them and make green tomato chutney - it's fab ! I did this last year when it rained most of the summer and we're still eating it now.
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13 Apr 09, Cris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Not enough people know about them and they don't travel well, so you rarely find them in a shop. Best tasting tomatoes ever though! Cheers cris
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12 Apr 09, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing Ox Hart Tomatoes for the last 3 years after been given some seeds. Why are they so scarce because they taste great?
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07 Apr 09, Annie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi everyone, great site! I have about 15 cherry tomato plants that have self-seeded in amongst other veges. They currently have lots of green tomatoes. Have read previous tips about ripening them and will try that, but was wondering if they are any good green if they don't ripen?
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04 Apr 09, joe (Australia - temperate climate)
hi folks, i heard that removing some leaves from the tomato tree will help produce a better crop! which leaves do we clip off - right at the top ? anyone know?regards and thanx.
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18 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Ken. Tomatos ripen with temperature, I notice you are temperate zone so you should still get enough warm days to ripen the tomatos. If the green tomatos are starting to blush at the base then you can pick and ripen on the window sill. Bananas help ripen fruit (bananas release ethelene gas) so bagging tomato with banana may help
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18 Mar 09, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
I have large bushy tomato plants that have some green tomatoes slow to ripen. I am quite keen to re-plant the beds with autumn plantings. Can I expect that these plants will still produce red fruit this late in the season or are they likely to remain green?
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12 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Kiah: Bad things happen if you grow Tomatoes in the same place year on year. Better to take them out, compost them, and make a new bed for next season.
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11 Mar 09, Kiah (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi was wondering if when tomatoes have finished producing fruit, is it best to leave the plant in the ground for the next season or take it out and start again
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Showing 751 - 760 of 815 comments
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I live on the North Shore, Auckland and have done container growing for several years now, This is the third year of growing tomatoes on a large scale - predominantly determinate varieties. I source my seeds from Kings Seeds who supply a determinate variety called Sub Arctic Plenty which I have experimented with variable results. All plants raised indoors, gently hardened off then potted out into 15L tubs. I use 50/50 new compost/previously used container soil from a non-tomato pot mixed well with added slow release fertiliser and half a cup of powdered eggshell.. The top is mulched with straw and 4 marigolds to attract the bees. They also need a 5ft stake. Generally the plants like the morning and late sun and need shade from the glaring hot midday temperatures. Each year I am growing them earlier to avoid the heat of summer. The pots on the decking facing North fully exposed struggled, the pots that were shaded midday grew much better. Next year I plan to plant out in July/August and see how they get on then. They have a mild taste, personally I prefer the richer flavours of the dark toms but they are good for dehydrating. I also found that they prefer dryer soil than some of my other varieties. I liquid feed them once a week using a litre of water. Don't let them stand in trays, they need full drainage. Any run off from the trays I use on something else (the pineapple sage is very grateful). Spay every part of the plant with a brew of bicarsoda to pre-empt and control powdery mildew weekly. Please let me know if you want any other info - happy to share. Let me know how you get on.

- Karen

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