When to plant Tomatoes in Perth

Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato
Tomato · Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes are popular annual plants that produce juicy, colourful fruits and thrive in warm conditions. They are native to South America and come in two main types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bushy and self-supporting and indeterminate are tall plants that require staking and pruning.

180 cm · Full Sun · High Water

Calibrated to Perth · average last frost around 9 May

Sow indoors March to April, plant out May, harvest July to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Grow tomatoes in a greenhouse for an earlier and longer harvest. This method provides protection from UK weather but requires ventilation and pollination attention.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    25 Mar to 9 Apr

    Sow seeds in a greenhouse or indoors around 25th March - 9th April. Maintain a temperature of for germination. Use a propagator to ensure consistent warmth.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    8 Apr to 30 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Prick out seedlings into individual pots around 8th April - 30th April once true leaves appear. Use a peat-free compost and keep plants in a bright, frost-free greenhouse.

  3. 03

    Pot On Plants

    22 Apr to 14 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pot on into larger containers around 22nd April - 14th May to support root growth. Ensure the greenhouse is ventilated on sunny days to prevent damping off.

  4. 04

    Transplant into Greenhouse

    9 May to 16 May

    Plant into greenhouse beds or large pots around 9th May - 16th May. Space plants apart. Water well and consider using grow bags for container growing.

  5. 05

    Support and Train Plants

    16 May to 30 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Install supports and train plants from 16th May. Remove side shoots on cordon varieties and pinch out the tip after 6-7 trusses. Ventilate the greenhouse to reduce humidity and pollinate flowers by gently shaking plants.

  6. 06

    Feed and Water Plants

    23 May to 9 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser every 14 days from 23rd May until 9th October. Water regularly to maintain even moisture, especially during fruiting, to prevent problems like blossom end rot.

  7. 07

    Harvest Tomatoes

    18 Jul to 9 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Harvest ripe fruits from 18th July until 9th October. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. In a greenhouse, harvesting can extend later into autumn compared to outdoors.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Tomato to consider

Gardener's Delight

A popular cherry tomato with sweet, abundant fruits. Ideal for UK gardens due to its reliability and good flavour.

Moneymaker

A classic cordon variety producing medium-sized red fruits. Known for its high yield and disease resistance in UK conditions.

Tumbling Tom

A trailing bush tomato perfect for hanging baskets or containers. Produces small red or yellow fruits without needing support.

Tomato guides by town

See how Tomato timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.