Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June, July.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Tomato in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartStart in traysLightFull sunTiming12–16 weeksDifficultyModerate
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for August, September, October, November, December.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for August, September, October, November.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for July, August, September, October, November.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for August, September, October, November.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for July, August, September.
Start well
Plant tomato with confidence
Start in trays. Sow about 5 mm in trays, using clean seed-raising mix for trays and keeping the surface evenly moist until established.
- Sowing or planting depth
- about 5 mm in trays
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 50–80 cm
- Soil
- Fertile, free-draining soil enriched with compost; usually ph 6.0–6.8.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Apply compost before planting, then use a balanced feed as flowering begins.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water deeply and consistently through flowering and fruit development.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Tie stems loosely as they grow, remove damaged lower leaves and keep moisture even to reduce splitting and blossom-end rot.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
12–16 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Watch for aphids, mites, caterpillars and fungal leaf spots. Avoid wetting foliage late in the day and rotate away from other nightshade crops.
Useful neighbours
Basil, parsley, marigold and alyssum can share the bed where spacing allows. Avoid following tomato, potato, capsicum or eggplant in the same soil.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Fruit, plants and soil can be restricted between Australian states and pest-control zones. Check current interstate quarantine rules before moving them.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026