Lyla Lindsey
Tomatoes are one of Australia's most popular crops to grow at home or in the garden. They are incredibly versatile in the kitchen and can be grown in all climates, from tropical to temperate. The best time to plant tomatoes in Australia depends on the region and local climate. In warmer climates, tomatoes can be grown all year round, whereas in moderate climates, the season is typically from August to November, and in cool areas, it's from September to November. Experienced gardeners often start growing tomatoes indoors before the summer and then transplant them outdoors when the weather warms up. Spring is generally the best time to plant tomatoes in temperate climates, while in tropical and subtropical climates, they can be grown year-round and harvested in the dry season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to plant | Spring and early summer (from October onwards) |
| Ideal daytime temperature | 21-29°C |
| Soil temperature | 15-16°C |
| Soil pH | 5.8-6.8 |
| Harvest time | 8-17 weeks after planting |
| Growing season in the dry season | April to September |
| Growing season in moderate climate | August to November |
| Growing season in cool areas | September to November |
| Best varieties | Grosse Lisse, Big Beef, Improved Apollo, Sweet Bite |
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What You'll Learn
Tomato planting seasons vary across Australia
Temperate Regions
In temperate areas of Australia, spring (from August or September) is generally the best time to plant tomatoes. This includes regions like the Australian Capital Territory, where the planting season is from August to December. In Victoria, the planting season for Melbourne and Geelong starts around the same time, in late September to early October.
Warm and Tropical Regions
In warmer climates, tomatoes can be grown year-round. In the North Coast region of New South Wales, planting can occur throughout the year. Similarly, in Queensland (South East), while planting is optimal in August-September and February-March, it can also be done at other times.
Cooler Regions
In cooler areas, tomatoes should be grown under cover or in sheltered spots. In these regions, planting typically occurs in spring and summer, from October onwards. Tasmania, for example, has a planting season from late October to early December.
Dry Regions
In dry regions, tomatoes are typically grown during the dry season. In the Northern Territory's Top End, the growing season is from April to September. In Western Australia's northern region, planting occurs during the dry season, from April to August.
Regardless of the region, it is essential to wait until morning frosts are over before planting tomatoes. Tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny environments with temperatures between 21°C and 29°C. They are sensitive to cold temperatures, which can hinder their growth and flavour development.
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Tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny conditions
Tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners in Australia, and with the right conditions and care, they can be grown all year round in some parts of the country. Tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny conditions, but they are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations. In Australia, the best time to plant tomatoes is in spring and early summer, from August to December, depending on the region.
In warmer climates, tomatoes can be planted in seed trays in August and then transplanted outdoors after a few weeks when the weather becomes warmer. The ideal daytime temperature for growing tomatoes is between 21°C and 29°C. When temperatures are higher than 29°C during the day and remain above 22°C at night, tomatoes will struggle to produce fruit. Therefore, in hotter months, it is important to provide shade for your tomato plants, particularly during the hottest part of the day. Consider using a simple wooden frame covered with shade cloth to protect the plants from the intense afternoon sun.
Tomatoes also require well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.2-6.8. Before planting, prepare the garden bed by digging in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. To encourage strong root development, plant young tomatoes deeper than other plants, burying the first set of leaves on the stem.
In cooler climates, tomatoes should be grown in a sheltered spot or under cover. In these areas, spring and summer (from October onwards) are the best times to plant. You can start seedlings indoors in a warm, sunny spot and then transplant them outdoors once the plants have grown a few centimetres in height. Tomatoes can also be grown in pots, troughs, or hanging baskets, allowing gardeners in any climate to enjoy the pleasure of growing their own tomatoes.
Some tomato varieties are better suited to warmer regions, such as the 'Big Beef' cultivar, which is heat-tolerant and resistant to common tomato diseases. For cooler climates, the 'Improved Apollo' hybrid variety is a good choice as it performs well in both cooler and warmer conditions.
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Prepare the soil and plant seedlings
Tomatoes thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 5 and 6.8. Before planting, prepare your garden bed by digging in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of about 30 centimetres. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.2-6.8). If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, consider adding gypsum or organic matter to improve its structure. A professional soil test can help you determine if any additional amendments are needed.
Tomatoes are one of the few plants that can tolerate mulch being applied right up to the stalk. In cooler areas, hold off on the mulch until late spring or early summer when the sun has had a chance to warm up the soil. Warm soil will help your tomatoes grow. Tomatoes can be grown in a good-sized pot as well as a garden bed. In fact, there are some tasty little hybrids bred especially for pots and even hanging baskets!
To plant your tomato seedlings, dig a nice big deep hole, grab your tomato, pinch the lower leaves off, plonk it out of the pot, and stick it in the ground. Backfill and then water your seedlings. Tomatoes like a slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 5 to 6.5. They don't require too much high nitrogen fertiliser. Too much nitrogen can promote a lot of leaf growth, giving you a lovely-looking plant but at the expense of fruit. Just give each seedling a tiny pinch of sulphate potash to help strengthen the plant cells, making the plants more resistant to disease and water stress.
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Transplanting and staking
Transplanting
Tomatoes can be sown indoors in pots on a warm, sunny windowsill before being transplanted outdoors when the weather is warmer. Seeds can be sprinkled into punnets of seed-raising mix and kept moist in a warm position until they germinate (about one week). The ideal germination temperature is around 25°C.
Once germinated, prick out seedlings and plant them into small individual pots (50-100mm wide) filled with potting mix and homemade compost. Keep them in a bright, warm spot until their roots have filled the pot. Be careful not to overwater them, as this can cause root and stem rot.
When the young plants have filled their pots, they can be transferred to prepared soil, ensuring that the risk of frost has passed and the soil is warm. Bury the first set of leaves on the stem to encourage more root growth and give the plants greater access to moisture and nutrients. Before planting, prepare the garden bed by digging in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.2-6.8).
Staking
Staking tomatoes keeps them organised, saves space, and reduces the risk of rotting or disease. It also makes the plants less accessible to pests and insects. There are various methods for staking tomatoes, including classic staking, the Florida Weave, and the string method.
Classic staking involves using wooden, plastic, steel, or bamboo poles to support the vine and fruit. Indeterminate stakes should be about six to seven feet tall, while determinate stakes can be closer to three feet. Push the stake at least a foot into the ground, keeping it about five inches away from the plant, and then tie the vine to the stake using twine, string, or old pantyhose.
The Florida Weave method is suitable for gardeners with a large number of tomato plants. This method involves planting tomatoes in two rows about two feet apart and driving a stake at the start and finish of each row, with additional stakes between every three plants. Twine is then woven in front of one plant and behind the other down the row.
The string method, also known as string training or the string trellis, involves running a wire, pipe, or stake between two high stakes and tying a string every 12-18 inches so that it hangs towards the soil. Tomatoes are planted at each string to provide support.
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Harvesting and ripening
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in Australia. They are easy to grow and can be very productive if you follow some simple steps. Firstly, tomatoes thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.8–6.8. Aim for daytime temperatures between 21–29°C, as any higher or lower will reduce fruit set.
Tomatoes typically take 8–17 weeks to grow, depending on the variety. You can tell when they are ready to harvest by gently holding the fruit in one hand and twisting until the vine snaps. You can also use garden snips to minimise damage to the plant. Tomatoes ripen on the vine and develop the best flavours in temperatures around 25°C. In warmer temperatures, pick the fruit just as they start to turn pink and ripen them indoors in cooler conditions.
If you are growing tomatoes in a tropical or subtropical climate, you can grow them all year round, but they will grow best in autumn and winter during the dry season. In temperate, cool and cold climates, you should sow from spring. To get a head start on the season, sow seeds indoors in late winter and transplant them into pots or garden beds once the risk of frost has passed and the soil is warm. In cool areas, you can also germinate seeds in a warm, sunny spot indoors when outside temperatures are too cold.
Tomatoes fall into two main types: determinate or 'bush' tomatoes and indeterminate or 'vining' tomatoes. Determinate tomatoes typically reach a height of about 0.5–0.6 m and have fruit that ripens simultaneously over a 2–3 week span. Once they have finished fruiting, the plant will not continue to produce and will slowly decline in vigour, so it's best to remove it once it's done.
If you live in an area with fruit flies, you will need to protect your plants against this pest. Begin applications of Yates Nature's Way Fruit Fly Control while the fruit is still small and before they have changed colour. Otherwise, you will end up with maggots or grubs in your fruit. You can try harvesting tomatoes a bit earlier, when they are just changing colour, and bring them inside to ripen safely.
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Frequently asked questions
Spring and early summer are typically the tomato season in Australia. Experienced gardeners prefer to start growing tomatoes indoors before the summer and then plant them outside once the weather becomes warmer. In temperate climates, tomatoes should be sown in spring, but in tropical or subtropical climates, they can be grown year-round.
Tomatoes thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.8–6.8). Before planting, prepare your garden bed by digging in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Tomatoes are vine fruits and need to be supported by a trellis.
Grosse Lisse is a favourite in Australia due to its high yields of large, round fruit. It is well-suited for most Australian climates and is ideal for slicing. Another popular variety is Big Beef, which offers large, meaty fruit with excellent flavour and heat tolerance.
Tomatoes love warmth and full sun, so choose a sunny spot in your garden that is protected from strong winds. Water the plants regularly and mulch well to keep the roots cool and moist. Avoid over-fertilising young tomato plants, as it will encourage leaf growth instead of flowers.
