Plant Care
Tomatoes
Home-grown tomatoes taste best!
Everyone appreciates the rich and juicy flavour of a freshly harvested tomato, which is why it’s so rewarding to grow your own.
When to grow
Tomatoes love the warmth so, in most areas, they grow best through the summer months. Spring and early summer are the ideal times to sow tomatoes from seed. Although tomato seeds can be planted direct into the garden bed, best results are usually obtained by sowing into pots or trays of Yates® Seed Raising Mix and transplanting when the plants are a few centimetres tall. Some keen gardeners start their tomatoes indoors so they’re ready for planting out when the soil is warm.
What to grow
Here are some of the favourite tomatoes in the Yates range:
- Grosse Lisse: Australia’s most popular variety produces a heavy yield of large, round fruit.
- Big Beef: An award-winning variety with good flavour. Large and meaty.
- Improved Apollo: A popular hybrid that fruits over a long period and is disease resistant.
- Burke’s Backyard Italian Tomato: Classic Italian variety with Marmande-type ribbed fruit.
- Roma: Traditional egg-shaped tomato that’s best for paste and cooking.
- Small Fry: Trusses of tiny sweet fruit on a tall, rambling plant.
- Tiny Tim: A miniature in all ways, Tiny Tim grows cherry-sized fruit on a dwarf plant. Perfect for pots.
Growing tips
- Water in well at planting time.
- A layer of mulch will retain moisture in the soil.
- Fertilise 5 weeks and 10 weeks after planting with Yates Dynamic Lifter Advanced for Tomatoes.
- Feed once a fortnight with Yates Thrive® Flower & Fruit Plant Food or Yates Nature’s Way® Multi Nutrient Plant Food. • Protect plants from pests and diseases with regular use of Yates Tomato Dust. • In fruit fly-affected areas, as fruit approaches maturity, begin applications of Yates Nature’s Way Fruit Fly Control or Lebaycid®. Always read and follow label instructions carefully.
Tomatoes in the garden
- Choose a spot that gets plenty of sun and has well-drained soil.
- Dig the soil to one good spade’s depth a few weeks before planting.
- Mix in some organic compost or old manure and some Dynamic Lifter® Advanced for Tomatoes.
- In acidic soils (where azaleas grow happily) dig in some Yates Garden Lime.
- Tall growing tomatoes will need stakes for support.
Tomatoes in pots
- If you don’t have enough space in the garden to grow tomatoes, try them in containers instead.
- Yates Tiny Tim is compact enough to grow in a small container or even in a hanging basket.
- Larger varieties need bigger pots. A Yates Tuscan pot in the 400mm or 500mm size is best.
- Use Yates Professional Potting Mix.
- Add some Yates Dynamic Lifter Advanced for Tomatoes to mix before planting.
Comments (49)
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pat
Yates site member
19:59, 10 September 2009
how can I keep the possums from eating my tomatoes,even at the early stage they are nibling at the leaves
Carey
Yates site member
23:03, 14 September 2009
If you have any chicken wire, put it around the plants; they generally won't climb over it as they hate the wire in between their paws(?)
wayne
Yates site member
09:39, 12 September 2009
I have a large bird cage which I use to keep birds and possums out. My vegies are in the cage and the animals are on the out side.It works well eight metre by three metre
Julianne
Yates site member
10:25, 12 September 2009
I've heard that ground pepper dusted all around and over the plants works well.
Richard
Yates site member
14:32, 12 September 2009
Heard on local radio this morning to use MOLASSES. Pour it around plant Apparantly possums can't stand it.
elizabeth
Yates site member
10:54, 18 September 2009
I have to use bird netting over the garden as have a bad bird problem. this also works for possums.
Sharon
Yates site member
18:47, 21 September 2009
Electric fencing if you have a large veg garden. Available from your produce store small portable one electric tape pretty cheap have the fence only about 8" high stops then straight away does not hurt them.
john
Yates site member
10:48, 22 September 2009
Hi Pat, A handfull of blood and bone on and arround the bush will deter them, works for the whole garden too.
Kurt
Yates site member
20:33, 29 December 2009
you will have a problem with dogs as they love to roll in it or they will dig up your plants
Nick
Yates site member
16:12, 05 October 2009
If the possums have learned that there is food in a particular spot, nothing will stop them coming back to it regularly. I've tried chilli, garlic, poss-off spray, blood and bone, none of it works if the animal has learned that there was once food in that particular spot. The chicken wire care should work although that makes the garden look awful. To be honest... move house. It worked for me. Nick (wishes possums weren't protected animals)
janice
Yates site member
15:50, 06 October 2009
how can i keep birds and mice away from my grapes i do have birds thats why the mice not many
Laeonie
Yates site member
09:20, 07 October 2009
I would feed the possums at another spot--- at the other end of the yard. Just older fruit and veggies. It keeps them happy and away from your tomatoes.
Laeonie
Yates site member
09:26, 07 October 2009
I would feed the possums at another spot--- at the other end of the yard. Just older fruit and veggies. It keeps them happy and away from your tomatoes.
tamika
Yates site member
07:52, 09 October 2009
i've sprayed my broad beans, pumpkin, basil and corn with areogaurd because i thought it would kill the bugs but it killed the plants what can i do
Ash
Yates site member
12:45, 23 October 2009
Aeroguard doesn't kill insects, it just makes you invisible/unattractive to them. It doesn't work on plants. If your plants have died, then you can either plant new ones, or find a book on necromancy and hope for the best.
lina
Yates site member
22:17, 10 October 2009
I'm not having much success growing tomatoes in pots. The pots are large tuscan-style. The potting mix is recommended for tomatoes. I've added some purchased organic compost, and fortnightly apply some fish emulsion. What am I doing wrong?
Bec
Yates site member
10:22, 13 October 2009
Hi Tamika - "i've sprayed my broad beans, pumpkin, basil and corn with areogaurd because i thought it would kill the bugs but it killed the plants what can i do" You can use pyrethrum to get rid of bugs - plus it is organic so it's safe to use on your herbs and veggies.
Brad
Yates site member
11:28, 13 October 2009
I use rat traps with a bit of food on them. It takes a few cracks but they learn.
Lorna
Yates site member
09:47, 18 October 2009
I've had my Clivea for two years now how do I get them to flower
kawa
Yates site member
19:26, 18 October 2009
How the tomato plant come tree tomato?
Ross
Yates site member
06:14, 29 October 2009
I thought I was a club member?
judy
Yates site member
11:32, 31 October 2009
can anyone help with control of nematodes which seem to be ruining my tomato crop?
David
Yates site member
19:22, 21 February 2010
Judy I use Nemacur, made by Yates.
Steve
Yates site member
19:42, 31 October 2009
my tomatoes are dying off from the bottom. this is heart breaking and doesnt seem to stop nomatter what i do. what is happenign
frank
Yates site member
15:19, 13 January 2010
trying to sign in for first timebe brunted
david
Yates site member
23:08, 01 November 2009
Here in Perth our biggest problem is growing in sand but tomato do well if you improve the soil, sorry I mean sand it grows vegtables well.
Margaret
Yates site member
18:46, 05 November 2009
I found last year when I left more leaves on tomatos, they did not get that yellow burn marks from the sun, as the leaves shelted them and it is not direct sun light that ripens your tomatos but the warmth from the sun, thought others might like to try this
Barry
Yates site member
20:03, 05 November 2009
Is it a good idea to pinch off the small flowers that appear on the tomato plant as it's growing? Does it really produce more fruit on the mature plant?
aileen
Yates site member
12:07, 06 November 2009
they say at herbs ,if you grow tomatoes where spring onions have been grow it helps to stop tomatoe problems is it true ?
Adrienne
Yates site member
10:05, 12 November 2009
Apparently toast covered in peanut butter will keep the rats/mice from eating your veges. They peanut butter. The toast must be keep dry and this is what chokes the animal.
marcia
Yates site member
22:33, 12 November 2009
I am growing tomatoes upside down in a hanging bucket. The bottom leaves are turning yellow , wondering if it is to much water . Has anyone tryed this . Would love to hear from you if you have.
Claire
Yates site member
16:38, 15 November 2009
My baby tomato plant leaves have yellow spots on them. What could be causing this and how can i fix it?
Claire
Yates site member
16:39, 15 November 2009
Oh, I meant white (NOT yellow) spots on the leaves. Oops!
Rod
Yates site member
15:42, 22 November 2009
Hello I have a lots of lemon tree, 1 lemon on it. It's green when do I pick it? It's been green for about 6-8 weeks bye
Stafford
Yates site member
16:47, 24 November 2009
Hi I am growing tomatoes for the first time and i have alot of flowers but very little fruit, is this because the bee's have not polinated all the flowers or is my soil lacking a mineral? Thanks
David
Yates site member
19:27, 21 February 2010
Stafford, I live in Alice Springs a dry climate. A market gardener told me to spray the tomato plants in the evening when the sun has gone down. It works.
Nancy
Yates site member
14:01, 28 November 2009
hi I am a new gardener trying to grow some tomatoes I have been told to sprinkle Tomato dust on them. I would like to knowwhen to do it
Patrick
Yates site member
15:38, 28 November 2009
I am growing tomatoes am more interested in Heirloom Favourites and would enjoy information on these tomatoes. Patrick
derwento
Yates site member
00:06, 05 December 2009
Mine are in hanging Baskets (Its OK I live above the ground in a unit)possums don't worry me, the cats leave em alone, but do the fruit fly love it. So far white oil hasn't worked and I try not to use aggressive measures because I must share them with my neighbours, horizontally and vertically.
Lynda
Yates site member
10:25, 24 December 2009
I am growing Roma tomatoes in a pot and have a lovely crop coming on, along with green beans and minature capsicums for its neighbours. The last two nights an animal has come in under the bird net and eaten the seeds and flesh but left the outer skin chewed and in a small pile. I'm not sure if it's a rat or a possum and it beats me how it is getting in under the net, eating one fruit only and then leaving me with the mess! Any ideas?
b
Yates site member
10:09, 12 January 2010
make sure your net is secured tightly to something--stakes, poles, a fence, etc, with cable ties or twisty ties all around. leave some spare net at the bottom and hold down with bricks or rocks. the possums can't getin that way. leave some space between the net and plants so the possums can't reach through and grab the fruit. this method works for me every year. you can also put some rosemary and lavendar plants along the net to deter the possums from getting near the net.
edward
Yates site member
10:58, 24 December 2009
dont pick tomato flowers,thats where your tomatoes grow from.
Dina
Yates site member
10:39, 28 December 2009
how do you keep the birds from attacking the tomatoes. My dad is going crazy everytime he comes inside he can hear them at the tomaotoes. He then goes at outside and either throw rocks at the plants or gets two old frying pans a bangs them together so the birds fly away, but it is to time consuming. Dina
Dina
Yates site member
10:41, 28 December 2009
how to keep birds away from tomatoe plants
Dew
Yates site member
11:45, 04 January 2010
I plant tomatoes and they are growing well.They produced lot of flowers but never become fruits instead dried out and fell down. What's wrong with my tomatoes plant?
David
Yates site member
19:31, 21 February 2010
Dew, try spraying with water once the sun has gone down. Not enough moister for flower to set could be your problem.
Judi
Yates site member
08:37, 06 January 2010
I'm also having problems getting tomatoes to set fruit (lots of flowers, thick plant stems, mainly healthy leaves, but not much fruit). I have 3 plants all planted near each other, 1 "feral" plant (grew from the compost) & 2 heritage tomatoes. The feral one has had a few small fruit on it (was possibly an "aromatherapy" tomato), one of the heritage ones has 2 fruit on it, but nothing otherwise. Also, I'm getting the leaves yellowing from the bottom of the plants. What is this & how can I fix it?
Vicki
Yates site member
12:50, 06 January 2010
I've been growing small truss tomatoes which produced heaps of lovely red fruit so much that I was giving away bags full then just before Christmas they stopped going red & just won;t ripen - any clues?
Alec
Yates site member
12:54, 06 January 2010
I Planted a Black Russian in a pot but plant did'nt look healthy and the fruit is small in size, what am I doing wrong.
frank
Yates site member
15:32, 13 January 2010
My tomatoes leaves looks verh heathy in the first stages of planting but on close to mitureing the leaves starts to go yellow from the bottom. When I remove these leaves the same thing happen to the leaves above. I noticed very tiny white insectss underneath the leaves. Could you please help me with this problem. Thanking you Frank
Pops
Yates site member
22:56, 30 January 2010
Yellow leaves at the base of plant are normal, just old and can be removed. However, if the plant has lots of yellow leaves especially with blotches on them then they may have a disease, which if fungal can be treated if you get in early. The insects are probably aphids, a pyrethrum spray can control these or else some companion plant like flowering dill which attracts good insects that deter aphids.
margaret
Yates site member
12:54, 17 January 2010
plant one for the possum and put chicken wire over the rest of plants
wayne
Yates site member
11:13, 19 January 2010
i have 4 tomato plants, all were very healthy until recently 2 have started severely drooping in the morning. it is only on the younger leaves and the edges of some leaves are curling and drying out, like they are burnt. i fertilize with thrive.
Deborah
Yates site member
12:24, 24 January 2010
Can you eat tomatoes that have been sunburn on one side?
Jai
Yates site member
01:41, 25 January 2010
Have similar problem as Judi and Dew. My plants are in containers, tall, healthy, flowers but no sign of fruit yet. Any suggestions??
Pops
Yates site member
22:42, 30 January 2010
Yellow leaves at the base of plant are normal, just old and can be removed. However, if the plant has lots of yellow leaves especially with blotches on them then they may have a disease, which can be treated if you get in early.
Sue-Ellen
Yates site member
10:35, 25 February 2010
I have my tomato plant in a topsy turvy container.It has been healthy until now,the leaves seem to be dying off & a little bit blotchy.Should I rid of the leaves & allow for new growth or leave them & treat them for disease?
Steve
Yates site member
20:37, 01 March 2010
If the leaves that are going yellow are just suckers, i.e. they have no flowers on them, then yes, cut them off. It will promote growth to the parts of the plant that need it. Also try sprinkle some epsom salts on top and water it in.
Lorraine
Yates site member
17:25, 05 March 2010
I had to smile when Edward said don't pick off the flowers, thats exactly what my mum did a few years ago when she was still able to garden, she rang me and told me what she has done, needless to say this was her first time to grow tomatoes at the age of 82. I am not having much luck with lemons, oranges ir tomatoes here in Perth WA, although in the Uk I grew tomatoes in grow bags with a certain amount of success, any ideas?
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