When to Plant Tomato in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow August to February. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Tomato guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Tomato

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Tomatoes are Australia's most popular home-grown vegetable and arguably the most rewarding. The difference between a sun-ripened home-grown tomato and a supermarket specimen is profound. They require warmth, consistent moisture, and attention to pest management (especially fruit fly in QLD/NSW). Hundreds of varieties available from cherry to beefsteak, determinate to indeterminate, heirloom to hybrid. Grafted plants offer disease resistance for problem soils.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T/D T - - - - - S S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Tomato sowing time in Brisbane?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Tomato included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 18–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Tomato in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Two windows: August-November (spring) and February-March (autumn). Autumn crop often MORE productive than spring in SEQ because it matures during mild autumn/winter rather than in summer heat. Summer (Dec-Jan) is too hot for reliable fruit set.

Soil
Well-drained, rich loam with plenty of compost. Deep soil preferred. pH-adjusted with lime if acidic.
pH Range
6.0-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily). More sun = more fruit = more flavour.
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering 2-3 times per week, consistent and at the base. NEVER overhead water, promotes fungal disease. Inconsistent watering is the #1 cause of blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Drip irrigati

Companion plants: Basil, Marigold, Parsley, Carrot, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Brassicas, Fennel, Dill (attracts tomato hornworm), Potato (shared diseases)

Subtropical Growing Tips for Tomato

Recommended Varieties

  • Grosse Lisse
  • Roma
  • Tommy Toe (cherry heirloom)
  • Black Russian
  • Mortgage Lifter

Key Challenges

  • Fruit fly from October, critical
  • Summer heat above 38C causes poor fruit set
  • Late blight in humid autumn
  • Blossom end rot from inconsistent watering

Pro Tips

  • The autumn crop (plant Feb-Mar, harvest May-Aug) is Brisbane's secret weapon. Fewer pests, no heat stress, excellent fruit
  • Fruit fly netting ESSENTIAL from October. Non-negotiable in SEQ.
  • Afternoon shade cloth (30%) December-February prevents heat damage

Harvesting Tomato

When ready: Fully coloured (red, pink, yellow depending on variety), slight give when gently squeezed, aromatic. For best flavour, pick vine-ripened. In fruit fly zones, pick at 'breaker' stage (first colour change) and ripen indoors.

How to harvest: Twist and snap or cut with clean secateurs. Harvest in morning when cool. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 9 plants, about $293 worth at today’s Aldi and Coles prices, checked today.

That is roughly 41 kg at $7.24 a kilo.

Draw your tomato bed → No account needed.

Common Tomato Pests in Subtropical Zones

Early Blight and Late Blight, risk: HIGH (score: 86/100)

Organic prevention: Net plants BEFORE fruit set. Once fruit fly stings fruit, the damage is done. Maintain trap network from September in subtropical zones. Total garden hygiene. No fallen fruit anywhere. Consider commun

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What tomato costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your tomato: Late Blight.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $7.24/kg (12-month range: $3.00–$29.00)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Tomato

When do you plant tomato in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does tomato grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.