Which tomato should I plant?

Growing fresh tomatoes is easy to do in any size garden. Find out which types of tomatoes you can plant and how to grow them with these tips from Bunnings.

Growing fresh tomatoes is easy to do in any size garden. Whether you grow them in pots, a raised garden bed or your veggie patch, all you need is your favourite seedlings, well-prepared soil and a protected area with plenty of sun. But which tomato is right for you? We’ll take you through the different types of tomatoes you can grow and where they grow best.

Tomatoes to grow in pots

Most of the popular tomato varieties do grow well in pots. Apart from being a good option for growing in smaller outdoor spaces, the great thing about pots is you can move them around to find the best warm, sunny position.

Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes also grow well in pots, particularly in humid areas, and they look great cascading down from hanging baskets. You can trail cherry tomatoes along a fence or the edge of a raised garden bed.

Patio Prize
This compact bushing tomato plant grows up to 50cm tall. Growing well in full sun, with moderate watering, these are strong and vigorous tomatoes that produce high yields of medium-sized, juicy fruit around 2–4cm.

Tomatoes to grow in garden beds

If you plan to grow tomatoes in a veggie patch or raised garden bed, there are all sorts of interesting varieties to try. Prepare the soil first by digging in some organic matter, and giving it a good drink with some liquid fertiliser. Also, the best way to encourage healthy fruiting in any variety is to stake the plants while they are still young.

Gross Lisse
One of the most popular tomato varieties to grow in Australia is the Gross Lisse. Great for staking, this trusty plant produces good yields of medium to large fruits and is able to adapt to most soil conditions. This variety produces the best fruit in a protected, warm, sunny spot with deep free-draining soil.

Truss Tomatoes
Truss Tomatoes are another good option for staking in a garden bed and generally grow up to 1.8m. So called because each plant produces bunches or ‘trusses’ of tomatoes that can carry up to six medium-sized fruits. This bushing variety has a good resistance to disease and will enjoy a small amount of fertilising every few weeks once the plant starts flowering.

Tasty Slice
Tomato Tasty slice is a dwarf growing variety which produces masses of medium sized fruit. Ideal for growing in both pots or garden beds in nutrient rich soil or potting media. This plant has good hybrid vigour and disease resistance.

Big Beef
A large, beefsteak type tomato with a delicious, old fashioned flavour. Ideal for the home garden, this high yielding tomato produces large, flavoursome, bright red fruit.

D.I.Y. More Advice

Planting & Growing Must-have herbs to help you cook up a storm Turn every meal into a gourmet affair with herbs from your own pot or patch. It’s easy to get started and gives endless rewards in both kitchen and garden.

Planting & Growing How to control and eliminate garden pests organically Try controlling garden pests with these approaches from Eco Organic Garden.

Planting & Growing Growing chilli plant care guide Add a little fire to your food garden with a chilli plant. It’s not just a food plant, it can become a collectable obsession, too!

Planting & Growing How to plant and grow a cherry tree Sweet or sour, cherries are a popular summer treat around the world. Lovely and narrow, the cherry tree is suited to areas with cold winters, creating a stunning display of blossom in spring followed by the much-loved fruit.

Planting & Growing How to grow and care for palm trees Nothing evokes a tropical island beach or desert oasis like a palm tree does. The coconut or date palms may be familiar to us all, but there is an abundance of palm trees, suitable for creating an exotic touch to our homes or gardens.

Planting & Growing Planting growing and propagating bromeliad in Australia Bromeliad offers stunning foliage, flowers that look like they’re from another planet, varieties to grow in almost any situation, and most are super hardy. What’s not to love?

Planting & Growing How to grow blueberries Blueberries are nature’s superfoods, packed with antioxidants and filled with flavour. These pretty bushes make a wonderful dwarf hedge or in small gardens, try growing them in pots to enjoy flowers in spring and fresh berries throughout summer.

Planting & Growing How to grow and care for banana trees Look after your banana tree, with our plant care guide. From ideal planting conditions to pests and diseases, our guide is the perfect starting place for garden enthusiasts.

Planning & Projects Transform your backyard with a new garden bed Well-planned garden beds can give your backyard both structure and beauty, and solve all sorts of tricky problems, from screening out your neighbours to disguising an ugly fence. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

03:28

Planning & Projects How to plan and landscape a garden makeover If you’re thinking about creating a new garden, you can save a lot by doing the project yourself.

Planning & Projects How to build a child-friendly edible garden Creating a child-friendly edible garden is an enjoyable way to get grubby with the kids as well as engaging them with the great outdoors

00:22

Planning & Projects Brighten up your place with an instant hedge An artificial hedge or plant wall is not only an attractive feature in your garden, it can also add some much needed privacy. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie tells us how easy it is to add an instant hedge to your outdoor area.

Planning & Projects Create an instant artificial garden Get an instant, hassle-free designer garden with Un-Real Artificial plants. Find out here how you can create a beautiful and instant private garden.

01:52

Planning & Projects D.I.Y. garden tool storage rack Garden tools can be tricky to store away neatly because of their size and shape. Find out how to create a garden tool storage rack with this guide from Bunnings.

Planning & Projects Nine plants for good luck around the home The Lunar New Year is a significant part of most Asian cultures. There are many customs and rituals that are celebrated at this time. As part of the customs, there are some plants traditionally associated with the Lunar New Year festival and thought...

02:54

Planning & Projects How to make a terrarium Learn how to make a terrarium with this handy guide.

01:04

Planning & Projects How to give your front garden a D.I.Y. makeover With some simple D.I.Y. skills, you can transform your front yard into something special that will improve your home’s street appeal.

01:04

Bedroom Refresh your master bedroom We’ll show you how easy is to transform your master bedroom into a contemporary masterpiece.

01:09

Outdoor Living How to build a D.I.Y. outdoor playground Transform an unused corner of your backyard into a fun children’s playground.

Paths & Landscaping Landscaping for any size backyard Here are some simple D.I.Y. landscaping ideas to make a great outdoor space.

Planting & Growing What to plant in spring Say goodbye to cold winter days and hello to the sun and warmth of spring. Now is the perfect time to get in the garden and start planting. But what to plant? Our spring planting guide has the answers.

01:30

Ideas & Makeovers How to renovate and modernise your kitchen Watch how we renovate an old 70s kitchen and give it a stylish D.I.Y. makeover that suits modern living.

Benchtops & Cabinets What to consider when installing an outdoor Kaboodle kitchen A kitchen is a great way to spruce up your outdoor living and entertaining areas. The team at Kaboodle share a few hints and tips on what to consider when designing your very own outdoor kitchen using their products.

02:32

Bedroom D.I.Y. copper clothes rail Create more space in your wardrobe with this easy-to-make industrial copper clothes rail.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.