How to Grow Tomato
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a vegetable crop that yields 25–80 tonnes per hectare and takes 60–85 days from transplanting to harvest. It grows best in well-drained loamy soil, pH 6.0–6.8, rich in organic matter, needs 400–600 mm per season of water, and is widely grown in Armenia, Turkey, Spain, Italy. The current average farm-gate price on GeraFarm is about $0.55 per kg.
Yield / hectare
25–80 tonnes
Time to harvest
60–85 days from transplanting
Avg. price
$0.55/kg
Top regions
Armenia, Turkey
About Tomato
Tomatoes are the world's most widely grown vegetable crop, prized for their versatility in fresh markets, processing, and export. Armenia's Ararat Valley produces exceptional field tomatoes from June to September.
Tomato growing facts
- Scientific name
- Solanum lycopersicum
- Category
- Vegetable
- Yield per hectare
- 25–80 tonnes
- Time to harvest
- 60–85 days from transplanting
- Growing season
- Spring–Autumn (March–October in temperate zones)
- Avg. farm-gate price
- $0.55 / kg
- Soil requirements
- Well-drained loamy soil, pH 6.0–6.8, rich in organic matter
- Water requirements
- 400–600 mm per season; consistent moisture critical during fruit set
How to grow tomato, step by step
- 1
Prepare soil to the crop’s needs
Test and prepare your soil to match tomato's requirement: Well-drained loamy soil, pH 6.0–6.8, rich in organic matter. Correct pH and add organic matter before planting.
- 2
Plant in the right window
Plant during the recommended season: Spring–Autumn (March–October in temperate zones). Use certified seed or healthy planting material to avoid carrying over disease.
- 3
Irrigate to target
Supply 400–600 mm per season; consistent moisture critical during fruit set. Even, well-timed moisture during the critical growth stages drives yield and quality.
- 4
Scout and protect against disease
Watch for Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and Early blight. Rotate crops, keep good spacing for airflow, and act early — AI disease-scan apps can warn you days before damage is visible.
- 5
Harvest at the right time
Harvest after 60–85 days from transplanting. Handle gently and cool quickly to cut post-harvest losses, which can otherwise reach 20–40%.
- 6
Sell direct for a better price
List your tomato free on GeraFarm, set your own price, and sell direct to verified buyers — keeping the margin a broker would otherwise take.
Diseases & pests to watch for
- Late blight (Phytophthora infestans)
- Early blight
- Fusarium wilt
- Tomato mosaic virus
- Bacterial canker
Smart-farming tips for tomato
- Use drip irrigation to reduce leaf wetness and minimise blight outbreaks
- AI disease-scan apps can detect early blight lesions up to 5 days before visible spread
- Maintain 45–60 cm spacing to improve air circulation and reduce fungal load
- Monitor night temperatures — below 10 °C causes blossom drop; use thermal alerts
- Rotate with legumes every 2 years to break soilborne pathogen cycles
Get tomato price alerts & growing tips
Seasonal tomato price updates, planting reminders and disease alerts, plus when to sell for the best price — straight to your inbox. Free.
Growing tomato — frequently asked questions
- How much tomato can you grow per hectare?
- A well-managed tomato crop yields 25–80 tonnes per hectare. Actual yield depends on variety, soil fertility, irrigation, and disease pressure — Armenia, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Ghana are among the leading growing regions. On GeraFarm, growers selling direct typically earn 40–60% more than through traditional middlemen.
- When is the tomato growing season and how long until harvest?
- Tomato is typically planted in: Spring–Autumn (March–October in temperate zones). It takes 60–85 days from transplanting to reach harvest. Timing your planting to local conditions is the single biggest factor in yield.
- What soil and water does tomato need?
- Tomato prefers Well-drained loamy soil, pH 6.0–6.8, rich in organic matter. Water requirement: 400–600 mm per season; consistent moisture critical during fruit set. Matching soil and irrigation to these needs is essential for a healthy tomato crop.
- What are the main diseases and pests that affect tomato?
- The most common threats to tomato are Late blight (Phytophthora infestans), Early blight, Fusarium wilt. Crop rotation, certified seed or planting material, good spacing for airflow, and early scouting are the most reliable defences. AI disease-scan tools can flag many of these before they spread visibly.
- Is tomato farming profitable?
- Tomato sells for around $0.55 per kg at farm gate, and a hectare can yield 25–80 tonnes. Profitability hinges on yield, input costs, post-harvest losses, and the price you can negotiate — selling direct to buyers on GeraFarm removes the broker margin that usually takes 40–60% of the gap between farm-gate and retail price.
- Where can I sell tomato after harvest?
- You can list tomato free on GeraFarm and reach verified buyers — restaurants, wholesalers, processors and exporters — in 50+ countries. There are no listing fees, only a small commission on completed sales, and you set your own price in your local currency.