Lycopersicon esculentum
HEIGHT X WIDTH: 150cm x 50cm.
DISTANCE APART: 40cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Tomatoes are ready to eat when they have turned red though they will keep ripening if they are still a touch green. Keep a little bit of stalk attached to the fruit so that it stores better.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. Choose a large pot that is at least 40 to 50cm deep. Fill it with premium potting mix. Plant the seedlings and then water. These tomatoes will need a sturdy frame to hold them up.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix some compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil and water the area well. Make sure there is a strong frame for these tomatoes.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Tomatoes have lots of best buddies! They grow really well with capsicum and chillies, asparagus, cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, chives and of course basil. Marigolds should also be included as these keep away nematodes in the soil. Don’t plant tomatoes with potato and corn though!
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Feed tomatoes with a fertiliser designed especially for them which will help keep their stems strong and stop the fruit from dropping.
- Tomato climbing frames are usually sold in the garden section of hardware stores. Alternatively, fencing wire will work as will bamboo stakes tied together at the top in the shape of a teepee.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.