Tomatoes

How do I encourage the best growth from my tomato plants? Are there other plants that are good companion planting buddies or are they best grown on their own?

I have tomatoes in pots and want to plant them out in the garden. They have a ‘creep’ on the leaves. I’ve added fertiliser and regularly watered. Soapy water works temporarily, but needs constant application - can you help? 

This is my first year growing tomatoes. At some hardware stores they have nice looking tomato cages. Should I invest in these cages or will bamboo stakes and string be sufficient?

My tomato plants were looking very healthy until the four days of rain we had in January. Then they started wilting and have not improved. Just before the rain, I had given them a dressing of Daltons Tomato Fertiliser and they had a large amount of tomatoes set on them. What went wrong?

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?

What is the best Daltons product for tomatoes?

I am a beginner gardener and trying to grow some tomatoes. Last year’s plants were very leafy and green, but the fruit was scarce. Any top tips to prevent this happening again?

When do I need to feed my tomatoes and what do you recommend? I‘ve heard you have to pick some growths off but not sure what to do after. Also, what do I do about white flies or bugs?

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.

I would like to have a go at growing tomatoes that don’t need staking, similar to those grown round the Mediterranean. Can you suggest a suitable variety?

My cherry tomatoes have grown really well, but my money-makers are struggling to ripen and are larger than last season. Have I left too much fruit on the vine as they seem to be fighting for space?