Tomato — Grow Guide — Holly's Homestead

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Sun

Full sun

Water

Deep, consistent

Soil pH

6.0–6.8

Spacing

45–60cm

Depth

deep — bury lower stem

01Stake early

Tomatoes are heavy, floppy plants once loaded with fruit. Stake or cage at planting time, not later — disturbing roots after the plant is established sets it back.

02Planting

Method

Plant seedlings deep, burying part of the stem — buried stem grows extra roots.

Soil

Rich, well-drained, high organic matter.

Timing

Plant after frost risk passes and nights are reliably mild.

Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.

03Growing care

Stake or cage at planting.
Water deeply at the base — wet leaves invite fungal disease.
Remove lower leaves touching soil and side shoots on staked varieties.
Feed with a potassium-rich fertiliser once fruiting begins.

04Problems

Blight — dark leaf and stem lesions in humid weather; improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
Blossom end rot — irregular watering or calcium deficiency; keep watering steady.
Fruit fly — net or bag ripening fruit.
Splitting — heavy rain after a dry spell; mulch to even out soil moisture.

05Harvest & storage

Signs

Full colour, slight give when gently squeezed.

Method

Twist or cut from the vine, leaving the calyx attached.

Curing

None needed — ripen on a windowsill if picked slightly early.

Storage

Room temperature for best flavour, used within a week. Never refrigerate.

Preserving

See Canning & Bottling (canning a tomato glut) or Root Cellaring (storing potatoes) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.

Recipes

Try our Simple Tomato Passata — a way to use a glut.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby

BasilCarrotMarigoldAsparagus

Avoid nearby

PotatoFennelBrassicas

Rotation note

Avoid following other nightshades for 2–3 years.

Tomato is a moderate nightshade to grow, needing full sun with deep, consistent watering.