Growing tomatoes in Australia

Hoping to get a crop of lovely home-grown tomatoes this summer? Soil, sunlight and water are the three most important factors for successfully growing tomatoes in Australian gardens. Read on if you've always wondered how to grow tomatoes at home and are looking for tomato growing tips.

The most common vegetable planted in Australian gardens, tomatoes grow in most parts of the country, produce an excellent yield relative to the space they require, and are not difficult to grow. Still, to get the most out of your tomatoes there are a few simple things to keep in mind.

Tomatoes grow well either in pots or in the ground. Matt Niland, of Sydney's Four Seasons Nursery, suggests that when growing tomatoes in pots, choose a sunny position but be prepared to move them into partial shade on extremely hot days. Place a stake in the pot for the plant to grow on, and use the very best potting mix you can get your hands on.

"A lot of tomato growers have their own formulas for fertilisers and soil conditioners, but one of the best tomato growing tips is to use a premium potting mix combined with granular potassium sulphate and some all-purpose fertiliser. Potassium is essential in growing tomatoes successfully: "It usually does the trick," he says, "as the potassium encourages lots of nice solid fruit.

Tomato growing guidelines

Be aware that the soil in pots can dry out fairly quickly, especially in direct sunlight, so make sure your budding tomatoes are regularly watered - more so than other plants in your vegetable garden.

If you're planning to grow tomatoes in the ground, Matt suggests preparing the soil beforehand. "You want a nice rich soil, so turn some manure, potash and well-decomposed compost through it a couple of weeks before you plant the tomatoes," he says. "Then use a specific tomato fertiliser once a week or once a fortnight through the growing season."

There are over 30 different varieties of tomato plants you can grow - large and small, round and oval, and in a variety of colours from red through to black. There are also 'tumbling' varieties that grow well in hanging baskets. These are perfect for people who don't have much outdoor space, and they produce lovely tasty tomatoes.

Tomatoes grow all year round in much of the northern half of the country, and the best season for growing these plants in cooler or temperate areas is from late August to April or early May.

Get started on the path to homegrown tomatoes in your backyard or conservatory by finding a local nursery in yellowpages.com.au: