Tomato growing tips

Read on for tomato growing tips from Peter Vouthas, who has a garden filled with tomatoes of many shapes, sizes, colours and flavours.

Every corner and piece of earth in Peter Vouthas’ suburban Melbourne garden is crammed with tomato plants: in pots and planters, raised beds and cages. He grows 30 of his favourites every year, and then trials 30 new varieties. Here’s a few tomato growing tips from this expert.

Soil preparation

Before planting out seedlings, improve soil by top-dressing with a mix of 50 per cent compost and 50 per cent cow manure. Spread at least 5–7mm deep. Water in with a weak seaweed solution.

Container gardening

While it’s always great to grow your tomatoes in the soil, growing in pots is a great option if you run out
of space or have very little space to begin with!

Use a large pot. A half wine barrel is ideal but otherwise look for a pot at least 400–500mm in diameter.
Add cow manure to a good-quality, organic potting mix.
Select dwarf varieties or cherry tomatoes. These are best in containers and pots.
Plant as you would in the garden – down to the first laterals.
Apply a liquid organic fertiliser, rich in potassium, every four weeks to maintain healthy growth.
For taller varieties make your own cage or tower inside the pot by using four bamboo stakes and some twine.
Water regularly.

Time to plant

In Peter’s Melbourne garden, he plants his first tomato seedlings into the garden when his apples start to flower. But ultimately you want to plant out after the risk of frost has passed.

For Marcelle’s full article about Peter and his tips for tomato success get a copy of our Spring 2025 issue (OG 160), available from selected newsagents or supermarkets. You can also subscribe and get the magazine delivered to your door.