How to grow Bush Tomato in Australia
Grow bush tomato in full sun in light, free-draining sandy soil, as it is a hardy arid-zone native that hates wet feet. Water sparingly once established, since it is very drought tolerant and rots in soggy ground.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 2 litres a week, watered every 7 days
- Spacing: 100 cm
- Time to harvest: 180 days
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 8
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to November | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October and November | Marginal. A desert native that hates cold wet soil. Plant Oct to Nov in a pot or the driest, hottest spot and treat it as a summer annual. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to November | |
| Perth & WA | September to November | |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Desert native. Tasmania is too cold and wet. |
| Canberra & ACT | November | Marginal. A desert native that dislikes hard frost. Plant in November after the last frost in the warmest, driest, well drained spot. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not suited. Desert raisin comes from arid sand country and rots in monsoon humidity. Grow chilli or eggplant instead. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not suited. Desert raisin comes from arid sand country and rots in monsoon humidity. Grow chilli or eggplant instead. |
Varieties
- Desert Raisin (Solanum centrale)
Companion planting
Good companions
- Native plants
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Harvest the small fruit when it has dried on the bush to a raisin like, yellow-brown state with concentrated flavour. Pick the wrinkled fruit by hand.
Storage
Dry fruit on the bush or in a dehydrator. Ground spice stores for 12+ months in a sealed jar.