gaRdening in the tROpics - Townsville Intercultural Centre

TomatoesOne of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to growis the tomato. The humidity of the wet season can causeso many problems, so if you’re not experienced it is muchbetter to try and grow them in the dry season.The tomato patch should be in full sun. It should besheltered from the strong winds, although a slight breezewill help with pollination of the flower. The soil should bewell drained and rich in organic matter. Tomatoes will dowell if grown in pots too. If you over fertilise you will be leftwith a whole lot of leaves and no tomatoes.Grow from seed, as you will have a greater choice. Smallervarieties such as Cherry tomatoes and Tiny Tim are a goodchoice because they don’t get attacked by fruit fly. Cherrytomatoes are very hardy and will grow well as a groundcover bush almost anywhere, and do not need to be staked.You may grow them like a vine on a trellis. They are lowmaintenance, high yield. Cherry tomatoes are very sweetand a good choice for the tropics.