Growing Tomatoes in Brisbane

Tomatoes, that most versatile of fruits. For me they spell hearty Mediterranean dishes like pizza, pasta, salads and bruschetta a true kitchen all-rounder. For others they may spell refreshing Asian and Mexican style dishes, refreshing drink recipes or if you’re like me; they are simply gobbled straight off the vine!

I think second to the ubiquitous citrus tree in most Aussie backyards the tomato vine is something a lot of us can relate to in the garden. Even non-gardeners have enjoyed a cherry tomato springing up in the compost or in some forgotten area of the garden. Tomatoes are so easy to grow but there are a few principles you can follow that will take your crop to the next level.

While the Winter into Spring season is the ideal time for Tomato growing in most parts of South East Queensland, Tomato can actually be grown here all year round. Two of the most important principles for better tomato growth are one; soil and nutrition and two; avoiding fungal infestation. If you can get past these two potential issues you will most certainly enjoy tomatoes all year round.

Tomatoes are prone to various problems which can be avoided with the appropriate cultural action. Position and rotation are critical elements in establishing productive vines. Select a position in the garden that is very open and very light. Tomato must have full all-day sun for optimal fruiting, good airflow will aid in preventing fungus and disease (spacing plants out 30cm). Ideally also you will select a new position for your tomatoes with every season. Tomato is prone to soil borne nematodes and for this reason we both rotate them in the patch and consider interplanting Marigold flowers which contain chemicals that inhibit nematode infestation.

Tomatoes love well worked rich soil with impeccable drainage. Work the soil to a fine tilth to at least 30cm wide and deep per plant, work in compost and manures. Apply garden lime and sulphate of potash to promote heavy and even fruit growth. When you plant out your seedlings consider planting the lower part of the stem (up to the first true leaves) into the garden bed. Your tomato will strike lateral roots along this part of the stem which will enhance its ability to draw in moisture and nutrients thus developing a more vigorous plant. As your plant matures it may continue to strike lateral roots from the base. For even more plant growth consider mounding compost around the base to cover these roots.

Once established you simply must adhere to bottom watering only. There is to be no wetting down of the foliage except in the case of liquid fertiliser which can be applied once or twice a month. Proper staking and removal of yellowing or diseased foliage can also help in more vigorous growth.

As the fruit sets and starts to ripen it can be predated by birds and possums and in humid weather stung by fruit fly (some varieties are more prone to fly than others). To protect young plants I exclude pests by covering the seedlings with cane cloches. Once the plant is established, staked appropriately, flowering and subsequently fruiting the fruit can be protected with gauze fruit sleeves.

There are thousands of varieties of beautiful and delicious tomatoes out there and certain varieties will perform more vigorously in your area pending season and conditions. Some of my personal best performers have been as follows:

Mortgage Lifter
Green Zebra (a great winter cropper)
Tigerella
Roma and Mini Roma
Black Russian (can be prone to fly, be sure to use exclusion netting)

Aside from Marigold one of my favourite companions to tomato is Basil, more for culinary purposes than any sense of mutual garden advantage. Wrapping a small sun warm tomato in a luscious basil leaf on a hot summers day and enjoying the burst of flavours… oh there is nearly no greater garden joy for me. Perhaps some cheese and chilled white wine as accompaniment.

 So once more it is a case of some trial and error but don’t be afraid to experiment with varieties, acquire advice from your local garden centre and remember to save seed from your best crop for stronger vegetables generation to generation.