If you're in Melbourne and looking to grow your own heirloom tomatoes, you’re in the right place! Melbourne’s unique climate—with warm summers, mild winters, and unpredictable rain—offers excellent conditions for tomato growing, but there are a few things to keep in mind to give your seedlings the best start.
Here’s a step-by-step beginner's guide on growing heirloom tomatoes in Melbourne.
1. Choose the Right Time to Start
- Timing: In Melbourne, spring (September to November) is the best time to start heirloom tomatoes. If you're growing indoors or in a greenhouse, you can start as early as August.
-
Indoor Start: For a head start, begin your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost in Melbourne, typically around late of September to early of October.
2. Select Suitable Heirloom Varieties
-
Why Heirloom? Heirloom tomatoes are known for their flavor and color. Some top varieties for Melbourne include Black Russian, Beefsteak, and Mortgage Lifter.
- Consider Local Preferences: Choose varieties suited for warmer summer days and cooler nights, as Melbourne’s climate can swing.
3. Prepare Seed Starting Materials
- Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage.
- Soil Mix: A seed-starting mix is best—look for one that’s loose, lightweight, and designed for vegetable seeds.
- Lighting: Place seeds in a sunny spot or under grow lights if you’re starting indoors. Heirloom tomato seeds need 12-16 hours of light each day.
4. Planting the Seeds
- Depth and Spacing: Plant each seed about 0.5 cm (¼ inch) deep and cover with a thin layer of soil.
-
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use a spray bottle to mist the soil surface daily until seeds germinate.
- Temperature: Tomato seeds germinate best at around 21–24°C (70–75°F). Using a heat mat can help maintain a consistent temperature if starting indoors.
5. Transplanting Seedlings
- When to Transplant: After 2-3 weeks, once seedlings have their first true leaves (not the initial two small leaves), they can be moved to slightly larger pots.
- Hardening Off: Before moving seedlings outdoors, gradually expose them to direct sunlight and outdoor temperatures over a week to prevent transplant shock.
- Spacing in Garden: When planting outside, keep tomato plants about 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) apart in the garden.
6. Care and Maintenance
- Watering: Tomato plants need about 2-3 cm (1 inch) of water per week. Consistent watering helps prevent issues like blossom end rot.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer every weeks or two once plants are established. Heirloom tomatoes benefit from nutrients, especially phosphorus for root development.
-
Staking and Support: Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support plants as they grow taller.
7. Protect from Melbourne’s Climate Variability
- Temperature Swings: In early spring, Melbourne's temperatures can still dip at night. Consider using row covers to protect young plants from sudden chills.
- Rain and Humidity: Melbourne’s rain can bring humidity, which might attract fungal diseases. Space plants well and prune lower leaves to improve air circulation.
8. Watch for Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests: Look out for aphids, whiteflies, snails, earwigs, and caterpillars, which are common in Melbourne gardens.
- Disease Prevention: Rotate planting areas each year to prevent soil-borne diseases. Also, watering at the base of plants rather than overhead helps prevent fungal issues.
9. Enjoy the Harvest!
- Heirloom tomatoes can take 60-85 days to mature, depending on the variety. They’re usually ready for harvest from mid-summer to early autumn.
- Ripe tomatoes will have a deep color and slight give when pressed. For best flavor, pick tomatoes at peak ripeness and enjoy them fresh!