🍅 Tomato: Growing Guide
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 18–29 °C (64–84 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8. Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart. Expect 70–85 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Solanum lycopersicum |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 60 cm (24 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.8 |
| Comfortable temperature | 18–29 °C (64–84 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 70–85 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 100–200 cm (39–79 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Continental | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Sep.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Sep.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Sep.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan–Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar–Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun, Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Sep–Oct · Harvest: Mar–May, Nov–Dec.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Jan, Sep · Plant out: Feb–Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov–Dec.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Water at the base, avoid wetting the leaves.
Growing tips
Needs support. Remove side shoots (suckers). Water at the roots.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Tomato: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Sep. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Sep. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Sep.
Tomato: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Water at the base, avoid wetting the leaves.
Tomato: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 60 cm (24 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Tomato: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 70–85 days.
Tomato: which plants grow well with it?
Basil, Carrot, Parsley, Spinach.
Tomato: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Aphids, Whitefly, Phytophthora disease.
Plan your garden
Add Tomato to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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