Omari Gates
Cherry tomatoes are a versatile and tasty addition to any meal, packing a punch of antioxidants and vitamins. They are also easy to grow, making them ideal for beginner gardeners, busy people, and small gardens. With their compact size, they are less prone to pests and diseases than larger tomato varieties and can be grown in pots or garden beds. This guide will explore the steps to grow and care for cherry tomatoes in Australia, from preparing nutrient-rich soil to protecting against pests and diseases, ensuring a bountiful harvest all season long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate zone | Can be grown in all climate zones around Australia |
| When to grow | In tropical and subtropical climates, they can be grown all year round, but are best in autumn and winter, during the dry season. In temperate, cool and cold climates, sow from spring. |
| Where to grow | Grow in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sun a day, in a well-drained garden bed or pot. |
| Growing time | Depending on the climate and variety, tomatoes will be ready to harvest 10-12 weeks after planting. |
| Soil | Free-draining and nutrient-rich with a slightly neutral to acidic pH (around 6.0 to 7.0). |
| Soil improvement | Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to enhance soil fertility. |
| Soil pH | Slightly neutral to acidic pH (around 6.0 to 7.0). |
| Soil depth | At least 24 centimetres, ideally with more than 60 centimetres of soil, or a total soil volume of about 75 litres. |
| Container | Galvanised-metal water troughs or wine barrels with drainage holes. |
| Transplanting | Wait until seedlings are at least 5 cm tall before transplanting. |
| Staking | Indeterminate tomatoes need good staking support to spread their vines, which can grow anywhere from 1.3m to 3m tall. Determinate tomatoes form smaller, bushier plants and need less staking. |
| Watering | Young tomato plants enjoy consistent moisture when establishing, but once they begin to set fruit, allow the soil to dry between waterings. |
| Fruit fly protection | Begin applications of Yates Nature's Way Fruit Fly Control while fruit are still small and before they have changed colour. |
| Blossom end rot protection | Use recently limed, compost-rich soil and add Yates Lime & Dolomite Soil Improver Granules to help prevent blossom end rot. |
| Pollination | Gently tap flowers early in the morning to help pollination. |
| Pruning | Don't be afraid to prune your tomato plant if it starts to become too rampant as cutting the plant back will cause it to branch out and produce more branches. |
| Ripening | Let the tomatoes ripen fully on the vine for the best flavour and pick them just before you are ready to eat them. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the soil
The soil should be well-drained and nutrient-rich, with a slightly neutral to acidic pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. You can improve the soil's fertility and structure by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted animal manure. Ensure the soil is moist but not wet, as this can cause issues with root development and water retention. If growing in pots, choose a large container with a soil depth of at least 24 centimetres and ensure there are drainage holes.
If you're transplanting seedlings, dig a hole and mix in a handful of blended organic fertiliser. Cover the bottom few centimetres of the seedling's stem with soil and water it well. For direct sowing, lightly cover the seeds with soil and water generously.
Additionally, consider crop rotation and avoid planting tomatoes in soil that has recently grown crops from the same family, such as potatoes, eggplants, or capsicums, to reduce the risk of spreading soil-borne diseases.
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Choosing the right variety
Tomatoes fall into two main categories: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes have a compact, bushy growth pattern, reaching anywhere from 50 cm to 1 metre in height. They produce fruit within a concentrated period, making them ideal for cooking in large quantities. They also have a more predictable harvest and require less care than indeterminate tomatoes. If you choose a determinate variety, you can get away with a slightly smaller pot.
Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, can grow anywhere from 1.3 metres to over 3 metres tall and require good staking support to spread their vines. Grosse Lisse is a popular indeterminate Australian variety known for its adaptability, resilience, and flavourful medium-to-large tomatoes.
When choosing a variety, it's also important to consider your local climate and the time of year. In tropical and subtropical climates, tomatoes can be grown all year round, but they particularly thrive in autumn and winter during the dry season. In temperate, cool, and cold climates, it's best to sow from spring. If you live in a colder climate, you can also grow tomatoes indoors, provided they get enough sun. Tomatoes require a frost-free environment to thrive, so if you're starting plants off in a pot, place them against a sunny wall to minimise the chance of frost.
Tomatoes also come in various cultivars, which can be found in seed catalogues. Some cherry tomato cultivars to look out for include 'Cherry Ripe', 'Sweetie', 'Tiny Tim', and 'Small Fry'. These smaller varieties are less prone to pest and disease problems and are less susceptible to fruit fly attack than large-fruiting tomatoes. They are also less likely to develop blossom end rot, a condition caused by a disruption to the water supply that results in a brown hard patch on the bottom of the fruit.
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Planting the seeds
Cherry tomatoes are easy to grow and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. They can be grown in pots or in the ground. If you have limited outdoor space or live in a colder climate, you can grow tomatoes in pots indoors, provided they get enough sun.
Tomatoes can be grown in all climate zones around Australia. In tropical and subtropical climates, they can be grown all year round, but are best in autumn and winter, during the dry season. In temperate, cool and cold climates, sow from spring. To get a head start on the season, you can sow seeds indoors in late winter and transplant them into pots or garden beds once the risk of frost has passed.
Tomatoes grow in warmer months and will not withstand frost. Starting plants off in a pot grown against a sunny wall will minimise any chance of frost, and the radiant heat at night will give your new planting an extra boost. Once the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted into a larger container or into a final position in the garden.
Tomatoes need a frost-free environment to thrive. A sheltered, well-ventilated position reduces the risk of fungus on leaves. Tomatoes also need a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sun a day, although eight hours is better. The sunniest spot in your garden is generally in the north, northeast or northwest. This will give you the best results for a large crop, due to the consistent sunlight exposure. Tomatoes can get sunburnt, so add a shade cloth for protection on extremely hot days.
When planting seeds, choose a large container with a soil depth of at least 24 centimetres, and ideally with more than 60 centimetres of soil, or a total soil volume of about 75 litres. Galvanised-metal water troughs or wine barrels make excellent vessels for growing tomatoes. As with any container, make sure there are drainage holes before planting, and drill them yourself if necessary. When using metal containers, avoid placing them in baking-heat settings or on asphalt, which can cause roots to burn.
Enrich the soil with a soil improver and plant fertiliser. Add lime to help prevent blossom end rot. Blossom end rot is caused by a disruption to the water supply to the fruit, resulting in a brown hard patch on the bottom of the fruit. It is much less common in cherry tomatoes than in larger varieties. The soil should be free-draining and nutrient-rich with a slightly neutral to acidic pH (around 6.0 to 7.0). You can help your soil along by adding lots of organic matter into it, like compost or well-rotted manure to enhance soil fertility. Good soil structure will promote healthy root development, water retention and nutrient absorption, all of which are important for growing delicious and healthy tomatoes.
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Pest and disease control
Cherry tomatoes are less prone to pest and disease problems than larger varieties. Large fruiting tomatoes can be susceptible to fruit fly attacks, but cherry tomatoes are generally left alone.
However, there are still some pests and diseases to watch out for. Frequent inspection of your plants is key. Look out for pests such as aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites, as well as diseases like leaf spots or blight. Early detection allows for more effective treatment.
To manage pests, consider organic options first. Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs can help control pest populations without harming your plants or the environment.
Growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets can also help with pest control. This method makes it harder for common garden pests like slugs and certain insects to reach the plants.
To avoid fungal problems, cherry tomatoes should be grown in a container in the wet tropics. A sheltered, well-ventilated position reduces the risk of fungus on leaves. Water your plants at the base to keep the foliage dry, and ensure your hanging baskets are positioned to receive good airflow. This can significantly reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
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Harvesting
Cherry tomatoes are easy to grow and can be very productive if you follow some simple steps. In Australia, tomatoes can be grown all year round in tropical and subtropical climates, but they are best grown in autumn and winter during the dry season. In temperate, cool and cold climates, sow from spring.
Tomatoes will be ready to harvest 10-12 weeks after planting. It is best to let the tomatoes ripen fully on the vine to develop their best flavour and pick them just before you are ready to eat them. If you need to pick them before they are ripe, you can ripen them on a sunny windowsill or hang the vine upside down. When picking tomatoes, snap them off so that part of the stalk remains attached to the fruit, as this will keep them fresh for longer. Slightly coloured fruit will ripen indoors.
Tomatoes can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If you have limited outdoor space or live in a colder climate, you can grow tomatoes in pots indoors, provided they get enough sun. Tomatoes thrive in full sun and need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The sunniest spot in your garden is generally in the north, northeast or northwest. If you are growing tomatoes in a walled courtyard or next to a fence, you may need to adjust the position of your potted tomatoes as the season goes on to maximise sun exposure.
Choose a large container with a soil depth of at least 24 centimetres, ideally with more than 60 centimetres of soil, or a total soil volume of about 75 litres. Galvanised-metal water troughs or wine barrels can make excellent vessels for growing tomatoes. As with any container, make sure there are drainage holes before planting.
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Frequently asked questions
Spring is a great time to start growing cherry tomatoes in Australia. Tomatoes grow through the warmer months of the year and will not withstand frost. In tropical and subtropical climates, they can be grown all year round, but are best in autumn and winter, during the dry season. In temperate, cool and cold climates, sow from spring.
You can grow cherry tomatoes in a garden or in pots, either outdoors or on a balcony. If growing in a garden, choose a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sun a day. If growing in pots, choose a large container with a soil depth of at least 24 centimetres and ensure there are drainage holes.
Sow seeds into pots or garden beds. If growing in the ground, dig in a 5-10cm layer of well-rotted animal manure or compost. If growing in pots, choose a potting mix that conforms to the premium Australian standard. Once flowering begins, feed plants each fortnight with seaweed or fish emulsion.
Let the tomatoes ripen fully on the vine and pick them just before you are ready to eat them. Snap them off so that part of the stalk remains attached to the fruit, as this will keep them fresh for longer. You can store them in the crisper section of the fridge for up to a week, but they have a fuller flavour when stored in a cool spot outside the fridge.
