🍅 Tomato, Growing Guide for SEQ
Everything you need to grow Tomato in South East Queensland's subtropical climate.
When to Sow in SEQ
Two windows in SEQ: autumn sow (Feb-Apr) dodges peak fruit fly and humidity; spring sow (Aug-Sep) for summer crop. Stake or cage, mulch 10cm deep, prune suckers on indeterminates. Fruit fly exclusion bags or netting essential Dec-Mar. Feed fortnightly once flowering.
Growing Requirements
Good Companions (Friends)
Keep Apart (Enemies)
Recommended Varieties for SEQ
Tommy Toe
Australian heirloom cherry. Prolific, sweet, crack-resistant, and so fast that fruit fly often can't keep up. The SEQ backyard favourite.
Grosse Lisse
The classic Australian slicing tomato. Large red fruit, reliable across SEQ shoulder seasons.
Roma (Paste)
Egg-shaped paste tomato. Meaty, low seed, perfect for sauce and sundried. Determinate, one big flush.
Black Russian
Smoky dark-red heirloom slicer. Rich flavour. Best in autumn sowing for SEQ to dodge peak fruit fly.
Apollo Improved
Modern disease-resistant red slicer. Handles SEQ humidity better than most, a good first tomato.
Kitchen Uses
- Fresh in salads and sandwiches
- Slow-roasted for pasta sauces
- Canned or bottled for winter
- Dried with salt and olive oil
Health Benefits
- Rich in lycopene, powerful antioxidant
- Good source of vitamins C and K
- Contains potassium for heart health
- Low in calories, high in nutrients
Pests & Diseases in SEQ
Common Pests
- Fruit fly
- Hornworm
- Russet mite
- Whitefly
Common Diseases
- Early blight
- Late blight
- Fusarium wilt
- Blossom end rot
- Root-knot nematode
Storage
Bench at room temperature, never fridge. Use within 5 days. Freeze roasted for sauces
Value
Saves ~$5-10/week at peak, one plant can yield 3-5 kg per season
Related Guides
Track Tomato in Your Garden
Drag Tomato into your garden bed, get weekly reminders for watering, feeding, and harvesting.
Add Tomato to My Garden →Tomato Photo Gallery
What tomatoes look like at every stage, from seedling to harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tomato in Brisbane?
In South East Queensland, Tomato can be sown in February, March, April, August, September. Two windows in SEQ: autumn sow (Feb-Apr) dodges peak fruit fly and humidity; spring sow (Aug-Sep) for summer crop. Stake or cage, mulch 10cm deep, prune suckers on indeterminates. Fruit fly exclusion bags or netting essential Dec-Mar. Feed fortnightly once flowering.
What are good companion plants for Tomato?
Good companions for Tomato in SEQ include Basil, Carrot, Marigold, Parsley, Nasturtium. Avoid planting near Brassicas, Potato, Fennel, Rosemary.
What are the best Tomato varieties for Queensland?
Top varieties for SEQ include Tommy Toe, Grosse Lisse, Roma (Paste).