Tomatoes love warm conditions, so in many parts of New Zealand it's best to wait until mid-to-late October, once the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed. A little patience at the start helps plants establish well and get off to a stronger start.
Choose the site carefully
Tomatoes need plenty of sun and shelter. Pick a spot protected from strong prevailing winds that gets full sun for most of the day.
Start with good soil
Tomatoes grow best in free-draining soil. Before planting, mix plenty of fresh Daltons Compost through the existing soil, or plant into Daltons Garden Mix. Quite simply, the better the soil, the better your tomatoes will grow.
Try a new variety
With so many tomatoes to choose from, try something different each year. Heritage varieties are worth growing for flavour alongside your tried-and-true favourites.
Growing in pots and containers
Use a generously sized container filled with fresh Daltons Potting Mix each season. Dwarf varieties such as Scoresby Dwarf and Russian Red are good choices, as is Roma.
Give grafted tomatoes plenty of room
Grafted tomatoes are vigorous, heavy-cropping plants, so allow plenty of space. Their rootstocks are also chosen for resistance to a number of tomato diseases.
Stagger your plantings
Plant a few more every 2–3 weeks to spread the harvest out, rather than having every tomato ripen at once.
Keep planting through summer
Don't stop after spring. January, February and even March can be excellent growing months in many parts of New Zealand, and later plantings help stretch your harvest while it's still warm.
Keep watering consistent
Water deeply and regularly, especially once plants are fruiting and in hot weather. Aim at the base of the plant, not the leaves. Irregular watering can lead to blossom end rot, where the base of the fruit turns brown or black.
Check for pests and disease
Watch for green shield bugs, green caterpillars and early signs of disease. Regular checks make problems easier to deal with before they spread.
Feed and mulch
Side-dress with a tomato fertiliser through the season, following the pack directions and watering in well. Spread Daltons Mega Mulch or Daltons Compost around plants to hold moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the main stem.
Manage growth as plants develop
Laterals are the new shoots that form between the main stem and the leaves. Removing them early on tall-growing tomatoes builds a strong framework and improves airflow. As fruit starts to ripen, take off some lower or surplus leaves so more light reaches the tomatoes.
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