Tomato seed buying and growing guide

Choose the Right Tomato Seeds

Tomatoes are productive warm-season vegetables grown in an extensive range of fruit sizes, shapes, colours and flavours. Varieties differ in plant height, growth habit, maturity, fruit texture, seed content, yield, disease response and suitability for fresh eating, sauces, preserving, containers or commercial production.

Seedmart supplies tomato seeds for home gardeners, market gardeners and commercial vegetable growers throughout Australia. Choose cherry tomatoes for sweet bite-sized fruit, Roma and paste tomatoes for sauces, beefsteak and Oxheart varieties for substantial slicing fruit, or compact tomatoes for pots, balconies and smaller gardens.

The best tomato seed will depend on your climate, available growing space, preferred fruit size, support system, harvest period and intended culinary or commercial use.

Why Grow Tomatoes?

Productive Summer Crop

Healthy tomato plants can produce repeated harvests throughout a long warm growing season.

Many Colours and Shapes

Choose red, pink, yellow, orange, brown, white, green-striped, round, pear-shaped and ribbed fruit.

Varieties for Containers

Compact and dwarf tomatoes can be grown in large pots, raised planters and small urban gardens.

Fresh or Cooked

Use tomatoes in salads, sandwiches, sauces, soups, roasting, preserving and cooked dishes.

Extended Harvests

Indeterminate tomatoes continue flowering and producing fruit while conditions remain suitable.

Packet and Bulk Seed

Choose smaller packs for household gardens or larger quantities for repeated and commercial plantings.

Tomato Seeds for Different Growing Goals

Some tomatoes are selected for sweetness and fresh eating, while others are grown for large slicing fruit, sauces, preserving, compact plants or distinctive heirloom flavour.

Growing Goal Recommended Varieties or Types Why Choose Them?
Large slicing tomatoes Beefsteak, Mortgage Lifter, German Johnson and Oxheart Red Produce substantial fruit suited to sandwiches, burgers, salads and fresh slices.
Tomato sauces and paste San Marzano, Roma and Amish Paste Develop meaty fruit with useful flesh-to-seed ratios for sauces, passata, paste and preserving.
Sweet cherry tomatoes Sweetie, Tommy Toe, Cherry Gold, Yellow Pear and other cherry varieties Produce small fruit suited to snacks, salads, lunchboxes and repeated picking.
Traditional Australian garden tomatoes Grosse Lisse, Moneymaker, KY1 and Burwood Prize Recognisable general-purpose varieties suited to slicing, salads and household production.
Containers and hanging baskets Florida Basket and other compact varieties More manageable growth suits large pots, balconies and limited garden space.
Rich heirloom flavour Paul Robeson, Mortgage Lifter, German Johnson and Costoluto Genovese Selected for distinctive flavour, fruit shape, colour and traditional garden appeal.
Colourful mixed harvests Cherry Rainbow, Heirloom Rainbow Mix, Green Zebra, Pink Ping Pong and coloured cherry types Add contrasting colours, shapes and flavours to salads, produce boxes and market displays.
Warm and humid conditions Tropic and locally proven varieties Varieties selected for warmer regions can provide greater reliability under challenging summer conditions.
Market garden production Variety selected for fruit specification and customer demand Cherry, slicing, paste and specialty tomatoes serve different retail, restaurant and wholesale markets.

Choose Tomatoes by Fruit Type

Cherry

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes produce small, sweet fruit in round, cocktail, pear-shaped and coloured forms. They are suited to snacking, salads and repeated harvests.

Slicing

Medium Slicing Tomatoes

General-purpose slicing tomatoes produce medium fruit suited to sandwiches, salads, roasting and everyday cooking.

Beefsteak

Large-Fruited Tomatoes

Beefsteak, Mortgage Lifter and similar varieties develop substantial fruit with broad slices and rich flesh.

Paste

Roma and Paste Tomatoes

Paste varieties produce firm, meaty fruit suited to sauces, passata, preserving and drying.

Heirloom

Traditional Open-Pollinated Tomatoes

Heirloom varieties are valued for distinctive flavour, colour, history and the ability to save seed where adequate isolation is maintained.

Compact

Patio and Basket Tomatoes

Compact plants can suit large pots, balconies, hanging baskets and smaller gardens.

Cherry, Slicing, Beefsteak and Paste Tomatoes

Tomato groups differ in fruit size, texture and preferred culinary use.

Tomato Type General Characteristics Suitable Uses
Cherry tomatoes Small fruit, commonly produced in clusters with high sweetness and frequent harvests. Snacks, salads, lunchboxes, roasting and garnishes.
Cocktail tomatoes Larger than most cherries but smaller than standard slicing tomatoes. Salads, fresh eating, roasting and retail punnets.
Slicing tomatoes Medium round fruit with balanced flesh, juice and seed content. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, roasting and general cooking.
Beefsteak tomatoes Large, often irregular or ribbed fruit with substantial flesh and broad slices. Burgers, sandwiches, fresh slicing and specialty market sales.
Oxheart tomatoes Large heart-shaped fruit with fleshy interiors and relatively few seed cavities. Slicing, sauces, fresh eating and preserving.
Roma and paste tomatoes Elongated or plum-shaped fruit with firm flesh and comparatively lower moisture. Sauces, passata, paste, preserving, roasting and drying.

Roma Tomatoes vs San Marzano Tomatoes

Roma and San Marzano are both paste-type tomatoes, but they are not necessarily identical varieties.

Roma Tomatoes San Marzano Tomatoes
A broad and widely recognised plum or paste tomato type. A named traditional Italian paste tomato variety or strain.
Fruit is generally oval or plum shaped. Fruit is generally longer and more cylindrical.
Selected for firm flesh and reduced moisture. Valued for meaty flesh and traditional sauce use.
May have determinate or semi-determinate growth depending on the strain. Growth habit should be checked on the specific product page.
Suitable for sauce, roasting and preserving. Particularly associated with passata, pasta sauce and Italian cooking.
Check the individual product specifications. Names such as Roma can describe a general market type as well as a particular variety, and plant habit can differ between seed strains.

Heirloom vs Hybrid Tomato Seeds

Heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid tomatoes are produced through different breeding and seed-maintenance systems.

Open-Pollinated and Heirloom Tomatoes F1 Hybrid Tomatoes
Can generally produce true-to-type seed where crossing is prevented. Produced by crossing selected parent lines to create a first-generation hybrid.
Often valued for distinctive flavour, history, shape and colour. Often selected for uniformity, disease packages, yield or specific commercial traits.
May display greater variation between individual plants. Usually produces a more uniform first-generation crop.
Suitable for growers interested in seed saving. Saved seed does not reliably reproduce the original hybrid.
Includes many traditional garden varieties. Includes both household and commercial varieties.

Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

Tomato growth habit affects plant height, staking, pruning, harvest timing and suitability for containers.

Determinate Tomatoes Indeterminate Tomatoes
Grow to a comparatively defined height. Continue extending and flowering while conditions remain suitable.
Often produce a more concentrated harvest. Generally produce over a longer harvest period.
Usually require less intensive pruning. Can benefit from regular training and selective pruning.
Commonly suited to containers, field production and processing. Commonly suited to trellises, tall stakes and extended household picking.
Fruit may mature across a shorter period. Fruit develops progressively along continued vine growth.
Support may still be required when carrying a heavy crop. Strong support is generally essential.
Do not prune every tomato in the same way. Heavy pruning of determinate tomatoes can remove flowering shoots and reduce the crop.

What Is a Tomato?

A tomato is the edible fruit of Solanum lycopersicum, a plant in the nightshade family. The crop is related to capsicum, chilli, eggplant and potato.

Tomato plants produce clusters of yellow flowers followed by green fruit that develops its mature colour according to variety.

Tomatoes may be classified according to:

Fruit Size

Cherry, cocktail, standard slicing, beefsteak and large-fruited types.

Fruit Shape

Round, flattened, ribbed, pear-shaped, plum, cylindrical and heart-shaped fruit.

Growth Habit

Determinate, semi-determinate, indeterminate, dwarf and compact plants.

Intended Use

Fresh eating, sauces, preserving, drying, roasting and specialty market production.

Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable?

Botanically, a tomato is a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds.

In cooking, tomatoes are generally treated as vegetables because they are used predominantly in savoury salads, sauces, soups and main dishes.

Both descriptions are therefore correct within their own contexts:

Botanical Classification Culinary Classification
A fruit developing from the flower ovary. A vegetable used primarily in savoury dishes.
Contains seeds within fleshy chambers. Prepared with herbs, salt, sauces, meat, grains and vegetables.
Comparable botanically with capsicum, eggplant and cucumber fruit. Grouped commercially with other fresh vegetables.

How to Grow Tomatoes in Australia

Tomatoes are warm-season plants requiring full sun, fertile free-draining soil, reliable moisture and protection from frost.

Choose Full Sun

Provide at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight for strong flowering and fruit development.

Prepare Fertile Soil

Tomatoes require balanced nutrition and free drainage throughout their long production period.

Install Support Early

Place stakes, cages or trellises before plants become large and difficult to handle.

Maintain Even Moisture

Consistent watering supports steady fruit growth and reduces stress-related crop problems.

Local planting time matters. Tomatoes require warmth, but flowering and fruit set can also decline during extreme heat.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Australia

Tomatoes are planted during frost-free conditions. The best sowing and transplanting period varies from tropical northern Australia to cool southern districts.

Climate Zone General Sowing Period Growing Notes
Cool August to December under protection or after frost Raise seedlings before the final frost and transplant once soil and night temperatures have warmed.
Temperate August to January Start seedlings in late winter or spring and plant outdoors after frost risk has passed.
Subtropical July to February Spring and autumn crops can avoid the most difficult combinations of heat, humidity and heavy rain.
Tropical February to August Dry-season production commonly provides improved flowering, disease management and fruit quality.
Arid August to February Provide dependable irrigation and protect flowers and fruit from extreme heat and drying winds.

These planting periods are general guides. Local frost dates, elevation, humidity, rainfall, night temperatures and summer heat should also be considered.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Australian States and Cities

Regional planting periods should be adjusted according to frost, summer heat and humidity.

Location General Planting Guide Key Considerations
Brisbane and South East Queensland July to February Late winter and spring plantings can establish before peak summer humidity, while autumn crops may perform well in frost-free areas.
Sydney and coastal New South Wales August to January Plant after cool soil begins warming and maintain airflow during humid weather.
Inland New South Wales September to December Wait until frost risk has passed and allow sufficient time for fruit to mature before autumn cooling.
Melbourne and Victoria September to December Raise seedlings before planting outdoors, but delay transplanting until frost risk has passed and nights are warmer.
Canberra and cool inland districts October to December Use protected seedling production and plant into the warmest available frost-free period.
Adelaide and South Australia August to December Provide deep watering, mulch and protection from severe dry heat.
Perth and south-west Western Australia August to December Spring planting allows establishment before the hottest part of summer.
Tasmania October to December Select earlier varieties and use warm, sheltered positions or protected growing systems.
Darwin and tropical northern Australia February to July Dry-season production generally reduces waterlogging, severe humidity and disease pressure.

How to Grow Tomatoes from Seed

Tomatoes are commonly raised in seedling trays or individual cells before being transplanted into garden beds, pots or commercial rows.

  1. Select the variety and planting period.
    Choose a tomato suited to your climate, growing space and intended use.
  2. Prepare a clean seed-raising medium.
    Use a fine, free-draining mix that retains moderate moisture.
  3. Sow the seed shallowly.
    Plant tomato seeds approximately 5 mm deep.
  4. Maintain warmth and moisture.
    Keep the medium evenly moist without leaving it saturated.
  5. Provide strong light after emergence.
    Move seedlings into bright conditions as soon as they germinate.
  6. Pot seedlings on where necessary.
    Provide additional root space before the plants become crowded or root-bound.
  7. Harden seedlings gradually.
    Expose them progressively to outdoor light, wind and temperature changes.
  8. Transplant after frost.
    Plant into warm soil once weather conditions are suitable.
  9. Install support.
    Stake, cage or trellis the plants before vigorous growth begins.
  10. Water and feed consistently.
    Maintain steady growth through flowering and fruit production.
Strong light is essential after germination. Tomato seedlings grown with insufficient light become long, weak and difficult to establish outdoors.

How Deep Should Tomato Seeds Be Planted?

Plant tomato seeds approximately 5 mm deep. Cover them lightly with fine seed-raising mix.

Seedling Trays

Use a clean, free-draining seed-raising medium.

  • Sow approximately 5 mm deep
  • Cover lightly
  • Water with a gentle spray
  • Provide warmth during germination

Individual Cells or Pots

Sow one or two seeds per cell and retain the strongest seedling.

  • Avoid excessively large containers initially
  • Maintain moderate moisture
  • Provide bright light after emergence
  • Pot on before roots become severely restricted

How Long Do Tomato Seeds Take to Germinate?

Tomato seeds commonly germinate within approximately 5–12 days under warm conditions.

Temperature

Warm growing medium generally supports faster and more uniform emergence.

Moisture

Keep the medium evenly moist without continually saturating it.

Sowing Depth

Shallow planting allows seedlings to reach the surface readily.

Seedling Light

Provide strong light immediately after emergence to develop compact plants.

Do Tomato Seeds Need Light to Germinate?

Tomato seed does not require strong light before germination, but seedlings require bright light immediately after emerging.

Cover the seed lightly and maintain suitable warmth. Once the first shoots appear, remove covers that restrict light and provide strong, even illumination.

Poor light can cause seedlings to:

  • Develop long thin stems
  • Lean strongly towards windows
  • Produce pale leaves
  • Become vulnerable to damage
  • Establish slowly after transplanting

Can Tomato Seedlings Be Planted Deeply?

Tomato seedlings can form additional roots along buried sections of healthy stem.

Long seedlings may be planted deeper than they grew in the pot, provided the lower leaves are removed and the soil is free draining.

Do not bury diseased or damaged stem tissue. In cold, wet or heavy soil, excessive deep planting can delay root growth.

For very long seedlings, the stem can be placed at a shallow angle in a trench with the upper growth positioned above the soil.

How Far Apart Should Tomatoes Be Planted?

Spacing depends on plant habit, pruning system, support method and airflow.

Tomato Type Approximate Plant Spacing General Guidance
Compact or dwarf tomatoes Approximately 30–50 cm Suitable for pots, raised beds and compact garden layouts.
Determinate tomatoes Approximately 45–75 cm Allow enough room for branching and a concentrated fruit load.
Staked indeterminate tomatoes Approximately 45–75 cm Closer spacing is possible where plants are trained and pruned vertically.
Caged or unpruned indeterminate tomatoes Approximately 75–120 cm Wider spacing supports branching, airflow and harvest access.
Commercial rows Adjusted to variety and production system Row spacing should allow irrigation, crop management and harvest equipment.
Wider spacing improves access and airflow. Closely planted tomatoes require more careful pruning, support and disease management.

How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots

Tomatoes can grow successfully in containers where sufficient soil volume, sunlight, drainage, nutrition and support are provided.

Compact varieties are easiest to manage, although indeterminate tomatoes can also grow in large pots with strong staking.

Container Requirements

Use one suitably sized container for each tomato plant.

  • Allow approximately 20–30 litres for compact varieties
  • Allow approximately 40–60 litres or more for vigorous plants
  • Provide unrestricted drainage holes
  • Use a stable container that will not overturn

Container Management

Potted tomatoes require closer water and nutrient management.

  • Position in full sun
  • Use fertile, good-quality potting mix
  • Check moisture daily during hot weather
  • Install support before the plant becomes large

Best Tomatoes for Pots and Small Gardens

Compact, dwarf, bush and basket tomatoes are generally the most manageable choices for containers.

Growing Situation Suitable Tomato Habit General Guidance
Hanging basket Trailing or basket tomato Use varieties specifically selected for short, cascading growth and smaller fruit.
Balcony pot Dwarf or compact determinate tomato Choose a stable container and provide several hours of direct sunlight.
Large patio container Determinate or supported indeterminate tomato Use a substantial pot with a cage, stake or trellis.
Raised bed Compact, determinate or trained indeterminate tomato Select plant spacing according to the pruning and support system.
Small courtyard Vertical indeterminate or compact bush tomato Use vertical support to reduce the amount of horizontal space required.

Do Tomatoes Need Full Sun?

Tomatoes generally perform best with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.

Insufficient light can result in:

  • Long weak stems
  • Reduced flowering
  • Slow fruit ripening
  • Lower sugar development
  • Greater leaf density relative to fruit production

In severe Australian summer heat, temporary afternoon protection can reduce sunscald and plant stress. Heavy shade throughout the day is generally unsuitable.

How to Stake and Support Tomato Plants

Install stakes, cages or trellises before plants become heavily branched and laden with fruit.

Suitable tomato supports include:

Single Stakes

Suitable for vertically trained indeterminate plants with regular tying and pruning.

Tomato Cages

Support branching determinate and indeterminate plants with less intensive tying.

Wire Trellis

Useful for rows of indeterminate tomatoes and commercial training systems.

String Systems

Commonly used under protected structures and for vertically trained plants.

Rigid Mesh

Provides multiple attachment points and supports heavy branches.

Frames and Fences

Can support garden tomatoes where the structure is strong and accessible.

Tie stems loosely using soft material. Check ties as stems expand and avoid constricting the plant.

How Tall Do Tomato Plants Grow?

Tomato height depends primarily on variety and growth habit.

Growth Habit Typical Height General Characteristics
Basket and miniature tomatoes Approximately 20–50 cm Compact or trailing plants producing small fruit.
Dwarf and patio tomatoes Approximately 40–100 cm Suitable for pots, raised beds and limited spaces.
Determinate tomatoes Approximately 60–150 cm Develop a defined bush-like size and concentrated crop.
Indeterminate tomatoes Approximately 150–300 cm or more Continue growing and require tall stakes, cages or trellises.

Should Tomato Plants Be Pruned?

Pruning requirements depend on growth habit.

Indeterminate tomatoes may be pruned to one or several main stems to improve vertical control, airflow and harvest access.

Determinate tomatoes generally require little pruning because their flowering points occur across a finite branching structure.

Suitable pruning can include:

  • Removing leaves touching the soil
  • Removing yellow, damaged or diseased foliage
  • Reducing excessively dense growth
  • Removing selected side shoots from trained indeterminate plants
  • Clearing foliage that completely restricts airflow

Avoid removing excessive healthy foliage, as leaves support fruit development and protect tomatoes from sunburn.

What Are Tomato Suckers?

Tomato suckers are side shoots developing from the angle between a leaf and the main stem.

On indeterminate tomatoes, selected suckers may be removed to maintain one or several main leaders.

On determinate tomatoes, widespread sucker removal can reduce flowering branches and total yield.

Small suckers can be pinched or cut cleanly. Large shoots should be removed cautiously because they may already carry flowers and fruit.

A sucker is not automatically unwanted growth. Its value depends on the tomato variety, support system and number of stems being maintained.

How to Prune Indeterminate Tomatoes

A simple vertical-pruning system involves maintaining one to three principal stems.

  1. Identify the main stem.
    Follow the strongest upright leader from the plant base.
  2. Select additional leaders if required.
    Retain one or two strong side shoots for a multi-stem plant.
  3. Remove unwanted small suckers.
    Pinch or cut them while they are young.
  4. Tie retained stems regularly.
    Support growth before stems bend under their own weight.
  5. Remove lower damaged foliage.
    Keep leaves from resting continually on wet soil.
  6. Avoid heavy pruning during extreme heat.
    Maintain enough foliage to shade fruit and support continued growth.

Watering Tomato Plants

Tomatoes require consistent moisture through vegetative growth, flowering and fruit expansion.

Water deeply into the root zone rather than applying frequent shallow moisture. Allow the upper soil surface to begin drying without permitting severe plant wilt.

Mulching can help:

  • Reduce evaporation
  • Moderate soil temperature
  • Limit weed competition
  • Reduce soil splash onto lower leaves
  • Maintain more consistent root-zone moisture
Irregular watering can affect fruit quality. Repeated drought followed by heavy watering may contribute to cracking and blossom-end rot.

Feeding Tomato Plants

Tomatoes require balanced nutrition rather than excessive nitrogen.

High nitrogen can produce vigorous dark green foliage with delayed flowering or reduced fruit production.

Nutritional requirements vary with soil, container size and production intensity. Important considerations include:

  • Balanced pre-plant fertility
  • Adequate phosphorus during establishment
  • Potassium during flowering and fruit development
  • Calcium availability and consistent moisture
  • Micronutrients where soil or growing media are deficient
  • Regular feeding for container-grown plants

Use fertilisers according to their labels and avoid applying concentrated products directly against roots or stems.

Tomato Flowers and Pollination

Tomato flowers are generally self-fertile. Pollen is released within each flower and can reach the receptive floral structures through movement and vibration.

Wind, bees and physical movement can assist pollination.

Poor fruit set can result from:

  • Very high daytime or night temperatures
  • Cold weather
  • High humidity that restricts pollen release
  • Very dry conditions
  • Excessive nitrogen
  • Insufficient light
  • Severe plant stress

Under protected conditions, gently vibrating flower clusters can assist pollen release where natural airflow and insect activity are limited.

Why Are Tomato Flowers Falling Off?

Flower drop occurs when blossoms fail to set fruit or plants cannot support continued development.

Extreme Heat

High temperatures can reduce pollen viability and fruit set.

Cold Conditions

Low temperatures can delay pollen release and flower development.

Water Stress

Dry or waterlogged roots can cause flowers to abort.

Excess Nitrogen

Strong leafy growth may occur at the expense of flowers and fruit.

High Humidity

Moist pollen may not release effectively within the flower.

Low Light

Shaded plants may lack sufficient energy to support fruit development.

How Long Do Tomatoes Take to Grow?

Tomatoes commonly require approximately 60–100 days from transplanting to begin producing ripe fruit. Seed-raised crops require additional time for germination and seedling development.

Tomato Group Typical Period from Transplanting General Characteristics
Early cherry tomatoes Approximately 50–70 days Small fruit commonly ripens earlier than large slicing types.
Compact and determinate tomatoes Approximately 55–80 days Often produce a relatively concentrated early or mid-season crop.
Standard slicing tomatoes Approximately 65–85 days Medium fruit for general fresh and cooking use.
Roma and paste tomatoes Approximately 70–90 days Firm fruit intended for sauce, preserving and processing.
Large beefsteak and heirloom tomatoes Approximately 75–100 days or more Substantial fruit commonly requires a longer ripening period.

Maturity varies with variety, temperature, sunlight, transplant age, plant health, fruit load and growing method.

How Long Do Tomatoes Take to Ripen After Flowering?

Tomatoes commonly require approximately 40–60 days from successful pollination to fully ripe fruit.

Cherry tomatoes may ripen more quickly, while large beefsteak fruit can require longer.

Fruit development includes:

  • Flower fertilisation
  • Early green-fruit growth
  • Expansion to mature size
  • Mature-green stage
  • Initial colour change
  • Full ripe colour and flavour development

Temperature strongly affects ripening speed. Very cool or extremely hot conditions can delay normal colour development.

When to Harvest Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be harvested at different stages depending on variety, transport requirements, weather and intended use.

Harvest Stage General Appearance Suitable Use
Mature green Fruit has reached full size but has not begun changing colour. Late-season harvesting before frost or protected ripening.
Breaker stage First visible change from green to the mature colour. Transport, protection from pests and indoor finishing.
Partly ripe Fruit has developed substantial colour but remains relatively firm. Handling, short storage and general household use.
Fully ripe Fruit has developed mature colour, flavour and slight softness. Immediate fresh eating, cooking and processing.

How Do You Know When Tomatoes Are Ready to Pick?

A tomato is generally ready when it has developed the expected mature colour and has begun softening slightly.

Signs include:

  • The fruit displays the normal ripe colour for the variety
  • The skin appears glossy and fully developed
  • The tomato yields slightly to gentle pressure
  • The fruit releases readily from the stem
  • Flavour and internal colour are fully developed in a test fruit

Green Zebra, white, yellow, brown and other specialty tomatoes should not be judged according to red-tomato colour.

Can Tomatoes Ripen After Picking?

Yes. Tomatoes harvested after reaching the mature-green or breaker stage can continue ripening after picking.

Place sound fruit in a dry location at moderate room temperature. Avoid sealing wet tomatoes in poorly ventilated containers.

Do not refrigerate unripe tomatoes unless necessary to prevent deterioration, as low temperatures can affect flavour and texture.

Fruit harvested before physiological maturity may remain hard, fail to colour evenly or develop poor flavour.

How to Store Fresh Tomatoes

Storage depends on ripeness and intended use.

  • Keep unripe tomatoes at room temperature
  • Store fruit out of direct sunlight
  • Arrange tomatoes in a single layer where possible
  • Use fully ripe fruit promptly
  • Refrigerate only where necessary to slow deterioration
  • Allow chilled tomatoes to return towards room temperature before eating
  • Remove damaged or leaking fruit

Using Different Tomato Types

Fresh Slices

Beefsteak and Slicing Tomatoes

Use broad, fleshy slices in sandwiches, burgers, salads and fresh platters.

Snacks

Cherry and Cocktail Tomatoes

Small sweet fruit suits lunchboxes, salads, roasting and fresh snacks.

Sauces

Roma and Paste Tomatoes

Firm flesh and lower moisture make paste types useful for passata, sauces and preserving.

Roasting

Cherry, Roma and Oxheart Tomatoes

Roasting concentrates flavour and softens flesh for meals, sauces and preserves.

Specialty Salads

Coloured Heirloom Tomatoes

Use contrasting fruit colours and shapes in fresh salads and market displays.

Preserving

Firm Paste and Slicing Tomatoes

Select sound fully ripe fruit and use an appropriate tested preservation method.

What to Plant with Tomatoes

Tomatoes can share growing areas with crops that have compatible light, moisture and spacing requirements.

Potential neighbouring crops include:

  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Spring onions and onions
  • Lettuce harvested before heavy tomato shading develops
  • Radish as an early crop
  • Carrots where root disturbance is avoided
  • Selected flowers that support beneficial insects
  • Low-growing herbs around bed edges

Companion planting does not replace suitable spacing, crop rotation, nutrition, pest management or disease control.

Can Tomatoes Be Planted in the Same Place Each Year?

Repeated tomato planting can increase the buildup of soil-borne diseases, pests and nutrient imbalances.

Where practical, rotate tomatoes with unrelated crops and avoid immediately following tomatoes with capsicum, chilli, eggplant or potato, which belong to the same plant family.

Container growers should replace or appropriately refresh growing media rather than repeatedly using depleted or diseased potting mix.

Common Tomato Growing Problems

Blossom-End Rot

Dark sunken tissue forms at the blossom end, commonly associated with disrupted calcium movement and irregular moisture.

Fruit Cracking

Rapid water uptake after dry conditions can split developing or ripe tomatoes.

Flowers but No Fruit

Temperature extremes, humidity, water stress and excessive nitrogen can reduce fruit set.

Yellow Leaves

Old foliage, nutrient imbalance, root stress, disease and water problems can cause yellowing.

Leaf Curl

Heat, wind, pruning, water stress, herbicide exposure, pests or disease may cause curled foliage.

Fruit Sunscald

Exposed fruit can develop pale damaged areas during intense sunlight and heat.

Why Do Tomatoes Split?

Tomato cracking commonly occurs when fruit absorbs water rapidly after the soil has been dry.

Cracks may form around the stem or extend vertically down the fruit.

Reduce the risk by:

  • Watering consistently
  • Mulching the soil
  • Avoiding severe plant wilt
  • Harvesting ripe fruit before heavy rain
  • Maintaining healthy foliage
  • Selecting less crack-prone varieties where the problem is persistent

What Causes Blossom-End Rot?

Blossom-end rot appears as a dark, sunken area at the end of the tomato opposite the stem.

It is associated with insufficient calcium reaching the developing fruit, commonly because of irregular moisture, root damage, salinity or excessively rapid growth rather than simply a lack of calcium in the soil.

Management includes:

  • Maintaining consistent soil moisture
  • Avoiding root damage
  • Using balanced fertiliser
  • Avoiding excessive nitrogen
  • Maintaining suitable soil pH
  • Ensuring containers have adequate soil volume

Why Are Tomato Leaves Turning Yellow?

The lowest leaves naturally age and may yellow as the plant develops.

Widespread or rapid yellowing can result from:

  • Waterlogging
  • Prolonged drought
  • Nutrient deficiency or imbalance
  • Root restriction
  • Fungal or bacterial disease
  • Sap-feeding pests
  • Natural late-season decline

Assess the distribution and progression of symptoms rather than diagnosing from one yellow leaf.

How to Save Tomato Seeds

Seed may be saved from suitable open-pollinated tomato varieties.

Tomatoes are predominantly self-pollinating, but crossing can still occur where several varieties grow nearby.

  1. Select healthy true-to-type plants.
    Choose vigorous plants producing fruit with the required characteristics.
  2. Allow fruit to ripen fully.
    Use mature, sound tomatoes rather than damaged or immature fruit.
  3. Remove the seeds and gel.
    Scoop them into a clean labelled container.
  4. Ferment briefly where appropriate.
    Allow the gel surrounding the seed to break down without leaving the mixture until seed begins germinating.
  5. Wash the seeds thoroughly.
    Remove pulp, gel and floating debris.
  6. Dry completely.
    Spread seed in a thin layer in a ventilated, shaded position.
  7. Store in cool, dry conditions.
    Label the seed with variety and harvest year.
Seed saved from an F1 hybrid will not reliably reproduce the original variety. Use open-pollinated tomatoes where maintaining a recognisable seed line is the objective.

Do Tomato Varieties Cross-Pollinate?

Tomatoes generally self-pollinate before or around flower opening, so crossing rates are lower than in many insect-pollinated vegetables.

Cross-pollination can still occur through flower structure and insect activity.

Growers saving seed true to type can:

  • Separate varieties
  • Bag unopened flower clusters
  • Save seed from several healthy plants
  • Label plants carefully
  • Avoid saving seed from uncertain volunteer plants

Packet and Bulk Tomato Seeds

Home and Small-Scale Growers

Smaller quantities are suitable for household gardens, containers and growers trialling several tomato types.

  • Compare cherry, slicing, paste and beefsteak varieties
  • Grow different fruit colours and shapes
  • Select compact varieties for pots
  • Trial heirlooms before larger plantings

Market Gardens and Commercial Growers

Larger seed quantities can be more economical for scheduled fresh-market, restaurant and processing production.

  • Suitable for repeated commercial sowings
  • Larger quantities available across selected varieties
  • Useful for cherry, slicing, paste and specialty markets
  • Compare plant uniformity, grading losses and saleable yield
Compare value by saleable fruit production. Germination, plant population, support costs, fruit uniformity, harvest labour, cracking, shelf life and marketable yield all influence the true cost of tomato production.

Important Considerations for Commercial Growers

Commercial tomato production requires varieties suited to the target market, harvest system, production environment and fruit specification.

Growth Habit

Determinate and indeterminate varieties require different spacing, support, pruning and harvest systems.

Fruit Uniformity

Consistent size, shape, colour and firmness simplify grading, packing and retail presentation.

Market Specification

Cherry, slicing, paste, beefsteak and specialty tomatoes serve distinct customers and price points.

Disease Performance

Varieties differ in tolerance or resistance to soil-borne, foliar and viral diseases.

Harvest Labour

Fruit size, cluster arrangement, plant height and harvest frequency affect picking costs.

Post-Harvest Quality

Firmness, cracking resistance, shelf life and harvest maturity affect saleable yield.

Conduct local production trials before large sowings. Germination, plant habit, fruit size, flavour, yield, cracking and disease response can vary with variety, climate, planting date, soil and crop management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

A tomato is botanically a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds. It is treated as a vegetable in cooking.

What are the main types of tomatoes?

Common groups include cherry, cocktail, slicing, beefsteak, Oxheart, Roma, paste, heirloom, dwarf and compact tomatoes.

What is the difference between Roma and San Marzano tomatoes?

Both are paste tomatoes. Roma describes a widely grown plum type, while San Marzano is a named traditional Italian variety or strain.

What is the difference between cherry and cocktail tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are generally smaller. Cocktail tomatoes are larger than most cherries but smaller than standard slicing tomatoes.

What is a beefsteak tomato?

A beefsteak tomato is a large, fleshy slicing type producing broad fruit suited to burgers, sandwiches and fresh slices.

What is an Oxheart tomato?

Oxheart tomatoes produce large heart-shaped fruit with fleshy interiors and relatively small seed cavities.

What is an heirloom tomato?

An heirloom tomato is generally a traditional open-pollinated variety maintained for its flavour, history, colour, shape or regional importance.

What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?

Determinate tomatoes reach a comparatively defined size and produce a concentrated crop. Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing and fruiting while conditions remain suitable.

How do you grow tomatoes from seed?

Sow tomato seed approximately 5 mm deep in a warm seed-raising medium. Provide strong light after germination and transplant after frost risk has passed.

When should tomatoes be planted in Australia?

Tomatoes are generally planted after frost risk has passed. Temperate growers commonly plant through spring, while tropical growers often favour the dry season.

When should tomatoes be planted in Brisbane?

Around Brisbane, tomatoes can generally be planted from late winter through summer, with spring and autumn often avoiding the most severe humidity and heat.

When should tomatoes be planted in Melbourne?

Tomatoes are generally planted around Melbourne from September to December, once frost risk has passed and nights have become warmer.

When should tomatoes be planted in Sydney?

Around Sydney, tomato seedlings are generally planted from late winter or spring through early summer, depending on local frost and soil temperature.

How deep should tomato seeds be planted?

Plant tomato seeds approximately 5 mm deep and cover them lightly with fine seed-raising mix.

How long do tomato seeds take to germinate?

Tomato seed commonly germinates within approximately 5–12 days under warm conditions.

Do tomato seeds need light to germinate?

No strong light is required before germination, but seedlings need bright light immediately after emerging.

Can tomato seedlings be planted deeply?

Yes. Healthy tomato stems can form additional roots when buried, making deeper planting useful for long seedlings.

How far apart should tomato plants be planted?

Compact tomatoes may be spaced approximately 30–50 cm apart. Large caged or unpruned plants can require 75–120 cm or more.

How do you grow tomatoes in pots?

Use one plant per large container, provide full sun, fertile potting mix, consistent moisture, regular feeding and a strong support.

What size pot does a tomato plant need?

Compact varieties may use approximately 20–30 litres, while vigorous indeterminate tomatoes generally benefit from 40–60 litres or more.

Which tomatoes are best for pots?

Compact, dwarf, patio, basket and determinate tomatoes are generally easiest to manage in containers.

Do tomatoes need full sun?

Yes. Tomatoes generally require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight for strong flowering, fruit growth and flavour.

How tall do tomato plants grow?

Compact tomatoes may remain below one metre, while indeterminate varieties can reach two to three metres or more.

Do tomato plants need stakes?

Most tomatoes benefit from stakes, cages or trellises. Even determinate plants may require support when carrying a heavy crop.

How do you stake tomato plants?

Install a strong stake beside the plant and secure the main stem loosely with soft ties as it grows.

Should tomato plants be pruned?

Indeterminate tomatoes can benefit from selective pruning. Determinate tomatoes generally require only limited removal of damaged or crowded foliage.

What are tomato suckers?

Suckers are side shoots growing from the angle between a tomato leaf and the main stem.

Should tomato suckers be removed?

Selected suckers may be removed from trained indeterminate plants. Extensive removal from determinate tomatoes can reduce the crop.

How often should tomato plants be watered?

Water often enough to maintain consistent root-zone moisture. Frequency varies with soil, weather, plant size and container volume.

Why are my tomato flowers falling off?

Temperature extremes, high humidity, water stress, excessive nitrogen and poor light can cause tomato flowers to drop.

Do tomatoes need bees for pollination?

Tomatoes are self-fertile, but wind and bee vibration can improve pollen release and fruit set.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Most tomatoes begin producing ripe fruit approximately 60–100 days after transplanting, depending on variety and growing conditions.

How long do tomatoes take to ripen after flowering?

Tomatoes commonly require approximately 40–60 days from successful pollination to ripe fruit.

When should tomatoes be harvested?

Harvest once the fruit has reached its expected mature colour and has begun softening slightly.

Can tomatoes ripen after picking?

Yes. Mature-green and partly coloured tomatoes can continue ripening after harvest.

How should fresh tomatoes be stored?

Keep unripe tomatoes at room temperature and use fully ripe fruit promptly. Refrigerate only where necessary to slow deterioration.

Why do tomatoes split?

Splitting commonly occurs when fruit absorbs water rapidly after the soil has been dry.

What causes blossom-end rot?

Blossom-end rot is associated with insufficient calcium reaching the developing fruit, commonly because of irregular moisture or root stress.

Why are my tomato leaves turning yellow?

Possible causes include old foliage, waterlogging, drought, nutrient imbalance, root problems, pests or disease.

What can be planted with tomatoes?

Tomatoes can share beds with basil, parsley, onions, spring onions, lettuce, radish and selected flowers where adequate spacing is maintained.

Can tomatoes be grown in the same bed every year?

Repeated planting can increase soil-borne disease and pest pressure. Rotate tomatoes with unrelated crops where practical.

Can tomato seeds be saved?

Yes, from suitable open-pollinated varieties. Fully ripen the fruit, clean the seed and dry it thoroughly before storage.

Do tomato varieties cross-pollinate?

Tomatoes are predominantly self-pollinating, but some crossing can occur. Isolation or flower bagging improves seed purity.

Can seed be saved from F1 hybrid tomatoes?

Seed can form, but it will not reliably reproduce the original hybrid variety or its uniform characteristics.

Are all Seedmart tomato varieties open-pollinated?

Specifications can vary between products. Review each product page for open-pollinated or hybrid status, seed treatment and pack sizes.

Are all Seedmart tomato seeds untreated?

Seed treatment can vary between products and seed lots. Check the individual product specifications before ordering or planting.

Tomato seeds for Australian growers

Grow Tomatoes in Packet or Bulk Quantities

Seedmart supplies tomato seed for household gardens, pots, raised beds, market gardens and commercial vegetable production. Choose cherry, slicing, Roma, paste, beefsteak, Oxheart, heirloom and compact tomatoes according to your available space, preferred fruit and intended use.

Review the individual product pages for available pack sizes, plant habit, fruit characteristics, seed treatment and variety-specific planting information before ordering.