Hi, I am also a new tomato grower, 3 months so far. My tomatoes are not doing quite well, most will split when it starts to ripe, others will have little black spots. I am getting fed up with all those suckers. If I don't look out for them for a week, they grow bloody big. ChuckWyatt/Md/Z7 wrote: > > G'day Jude, > > You have different conditions in Australia than we do herein the U.S. but > the principles are the same. Constant water but not sogginess are what is > wanted. Watering deeply twice a week should do well for you. Avoid > wetting the foliage as this invites diseases. > > If you are growing U.S. varieties you will probably be disappointed for a > couple of seasons due to your higher Ultra Violet level. Steve Parton of > Melbourne finds a two year acclimatization period is usually needed. > > You should definitely increase your PH with lime. New Gippsland Seeds, P.O. > Box 1 (Queens Road) SYLVAN VICTORIA 3795 should be able to help you with > specifics > > I find a 5-10-5 fertilizer used SPARINGLY gives good results. Avoid too > much Nitrogen and go with the high phosphorous to increase bloom, hence > fruit. > > Good gardening, > Chuck Wyatt.