Tomato production: technical guidelines
Practical Action
The Tomato Growing Calendar
Below is an estimate guideline of sowing time. First fruit ripening to peak harvest.
Sowing Time
First Fruit Ripening
Peak Harvest
January
April/May
May/June
February
May/June
August
March/April
July-August
August/September
May September
September/October
January/February
November/December
February/March
Estimate times of sowing, ripening and harvesting
October
February/March
March/April
Avoid sowing in the cold winter months in areas prone to frost. Your extension worker wiII advise on
the appropriate dates to plant and what protective measures to take during the periods of frost.
Below are stages of crop growth. These stages are affected by temperature, cultivar and moisture
levels.
Germination will take 7-10 days.
From emergency to transplanting 4-6 weeks
Plants should be transplanted when approximately 10-12 cm tall
From transplanting to first flowering 4 to 6 weeks
From first flowering to first fruit ripening 4 to 6 weeks
Harvest period can vary from 10 to 15 weeks
Establishing the Crop
Tomatoes should be grown in a nursery first before transplanting to the field.
Tomatoes grow well on well drained soil
Seeds must be obtained from a reputable source and must not have expired or near expiry date.
Expired seeds may not germinate or if they germinate may produce weak plants which may not
produce best fruits or high yields.
Preparing the Seedbed
Choosing a seedbed site
When choosing a nursery site consider the following points.
Choose a site far away from any related crops to reduce the risk of disease and pest transfer.
Select a site that had not been under tomato or a related crop for the past three seasons to
avoid disease and pest attack.
Select a site with medium to light textured soils that are deep and fertile.
Select a site with well drained subsoil to reduce water logging.
Select a site closer to a permanent water source.
Choose a secure place preferably closer to a homestead.
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