# [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") The Easiest Tomatoes For First-Time Growers ![Cherry Tomatoes](/sites/default/files/styles/side_image_xs/public/2026-10/cherry-tomatoes.jpg.avif?itok=6F6zyURa) # [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") The Easiest Tomatoes For First-Time Growers For a first-time gardener, what are the easiest tomatoes to grow? Cherry and other small-fruited tomatoes are a great place to start. Varieties such as **Sweet 100** and **Tommy Toe** are productive, reliable and tasty, with plenty of fruit through the season. If you are growing in a pot or smaller space, look for compact or dwarf-growing tomatoes. **Russian Red** is another option for containers, although it will still benefit from support as it grows. #### Start with seedlings For your first season, buying strong, healthy tomato seedlings is generally easier than growing from seed. You can always give seed raising a go next year once you have a season under your belt. #### Where to plant - Choose a warm, sunny spot sheltered from strong winds. - Before planting, prepare the soil by digging in plenty of [Garden Time™ Compost](/products/garden-timetm-compost) and/or [Garden Time™ Tomato Mix](/products/garden-timetm-tomato-mix) and put your support stakes in place so you don't disturb the roots later. #### When to plant tomatoes - For most of New Zealand, around Labour Weekend in late October is a good guide for planting tomatoes outside, once the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed. Warmer northern areas can plant earlier, while gardeners in colder parts of the country may need to wait until early to mid-November. - Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves. - Once the first small fruits appear, start feeding with Garden Time™ Tomato Fertiliser and reapply as directed on the pack. #### Growing tomatoes in a pot? Choose a good-sized container and fill it with [Garden Time™ Tomato Mix](/products/garden-timetm-tomato-mix). #### Learn more in our guide: [How to Grow Tomatoes](https://www.daltons.co.nz/gardening-guides/how-to-grow-tomatoes) Guides [All Gardening Guides](/gardening-guides) Topic[Vegetable Gardening](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A17) [Tomatoes](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A88) ## Products To Try ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_lg/public/2026-10/garden_time_tomato_mix_30l_vis_flat_0.jpg.avif?itok=Sg9ILLwv) ##### Garden Time™ Tomato Mix ](/products/garden-timetm-tomato-mix) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_lg/public/2026-09/garden_time_tomato_fert_1.5kg_vis_c_flat.jpg.avif?itok=25I-T5GS) ##### Daltons Garden Time™ Tomato Fertiliser ](/products/daltons-garden-timetm-tomato-fertiliser) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_lg/public/2021-09/Prof%20Compost%20bag%20vis%2030L.png.avif?itok=kNuoRC4m) ##### Daltons Nutrient Enriched Compost ](/products/daltons-nutrient-enriched-compost) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_lg/public/2025-10/garden_time_compost_40l_flat_1600x1600px.png.avif?itok=pCiVWgH9) ##### Garden Time™ Compost ](/products/garden-timetm-compost) ## More like this ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-12/Tomatoe%20seedlings%20iS91151723_XL%24%20cropped.jpg.avif?itok=cwuH2NzD) ##### Growing Tomatoes from Seed When is a good time to sow tomato seeds in Wellington? What sort of tomato seeds are tough to survive and what should I not plant with them? Can you plant tomatoes beside strawberries? ](/gardening-guides/growing-tomatoes-seed "Growing Tomatoes from Seed") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Tomato%20iS18824522Sml.jpg.avif?itok=FPWgq5T6) ##### Growing Moneymakers I am growing tomatoes called Moneymakers which aren’t ripening up well. Could it be that there is too much fruit on the vine? My Cherry tomatoes haven’t had any problems. ](/gardening-guides/growing-moneymakers "Growing Moneymakers") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Tomato%20Cherry%20Plant%20iS867039640L.jpg.avif?itok=RfzYOaSV) ##### Tomatoes Not Ripening Properly My cherry tomatoes have grown really well, but my Money Maker tomatoes are struggling to ripen and seem much larger than last season. Have I left too much fruit on the vine, and could they be competing for space? ](/gardening-guides/tomatoes-not-ripening-properly "Tomatoes Not Ripening Properly") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2021-08/kates_very_famous_pavlova_0.jpg.avif?itok=6O7kfFjw) ##### Kate’s Famous Pavlova Regardless of the ongoing battle with the Aussies as to who owns the Pav, it has, and always will be, a kiwi favourite. This is very old recipe never fails to please – and is probably one of the easiest pavlovas to make! ](/kates-famous-pavlova "Kate’s Famous Pavlova") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-06/Flax%20Bush%20iS1220504435L%20sml.jpg.avif?itok=8idsrnv6) ##### Removing Flax Bush When is a good time to remove my flax bush as it is taking up too much garden space? Can you suggest any shortcuts or give me any tips as to the best way to do this? ](/gardening-guides/removing-flax-bush "Removing Flax Bush") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-03/Garlic%20iS%20185408964M%20sml.jpg.avif?itok=me34N1iP) ##### Prevent rust on garlic How can I avoid rust attacking and spoiling my garlic crop? Each year I start with fresh garlic seed bulbs and I have tried planting all different areas of my garden, but they are always attacked by rust. ](/gardening-guides/prevent-rust-garlic "Prevent rust on garlic") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2021-01/Gardenia%20shutter1140752273L%20sml.jpg.avif?itok=tztthf1T) ##### Yellow Gardenia Leaves My gardenia bush has yellow tips on the leaves. I am not sure whether I am giving it enough water or if it could have something to do with the pH in the soil? Can you offer any advice? ](/gardening-guides/yellow-gardenia-leaves "Yellow Gardenia Leaves") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Daphne%20pink%20iS1138392082L.jpg.avif?itok=SVjo30Sy) ##### Selecting Healthy Daphne A couple of years ago I planted a Daphne facing east. However, it did not do well so I put it in a pot in April this year with potting mix and acid fertiliser. Unfortunately, it is giving up. What am I doing wrong? ](/gardening-guides/selecting-healthy-daphne "Selecting Healthy Daphne") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/persimmon_fruit_on_tree_branch_is157720944_xl.jpg.avif?itok=ygX2RQxP) ##### Growing a Persimmon Tree I am trying to grow a persimmon tree for the second time. The first tree just withered away. What do these fruit trees need to thrive? ](/gardening-guides/growing-persimmon-tree "Growing a Persimmon Tree") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2023-06/istock-515222748.jpg.avif?itok=7tBNqIRI) ##### Why do my Daphne Plants Keep Dying? One of my favourite plants is daphne, but I have had two die on me. I have them in semi sunny spot, stones in the pot for drainage, but they still keep dying. Are there any other tips for me please? ](/gardening-guides/why-do-my-daphne-plants-keep-dying "Why do my Daphne Plants Keep Dying?") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Rose%20Cutting%20iS1183900350L.jpg.avif?itok=2NIkwHYh) ##### Growing Roses from Cuttings We are soon to shift house. Currently we have some favourite roses which we have nurtured over the years. Could we take cuttings from these bushes to replant and establish at our new home? ](/gardening-guides/growing-roses-cuttings "Growing Roses from Cuttings") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2019-04/Grass%20damaged%20Burnt%20iS%20694782476%20L%20for%20website_0.jpg.avif?itok=jze_1ubA) ##### Controlling Porina Caterpillars in Lawns Each year we have an issue with Porina caterpillars in our lawn which effects its growth. What would you advise as a good treatment plan for long term control of this? ](/gardening-guides/controlling-porina-caterpillars-lawns "Controlling Porina Caterpillars in Lawns")