Tomatoes are a favourite ingredient in kitchens across Mzansi – affordable, easy to find, and always in season. From rural villages to suburban neighbourhoods, they’re part of everyday meals and so good all on their own. Now, imagine the joy of picking your own, fresh from your garden!
With just a few pots on your patio or a small garden space, you can grow your own tomatoes. The best part? With a little care, they can grow almost anywhere in Mzansi.
There’s nothing more satisfying than saving some rands while enjoying the fruits of your labour.
Natural anti-inflammatory power
Mandisa Mazibuko, an agronomist based in North-West, explains that tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are also rich in vitamins A and B.
“Tomatoes play a significant role in food biotechnology and processing,” she says.
“In many countries, they are one of the major crops grown, and they also have high levels of potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure.”
Mandisa Mazibuko
Mazibuko notes that some studies have shown that lycopene in tomatoes may reduce the risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.
“Tomatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which supports eye health.”
She further explains that the combination of antioxidants in tomatoes – including lycopene, vitamin C, and flavonoids – provides natural anti-inflammatory effects, which can help address chronic inflammation, a contributing factor in many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Key differences in tomatoes
According to Nangamso Mtamzeli-Cekiso, a horticultural scientist at the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, tomatoes belong to the Solanaceae family which also includes peppers, eggplants, paprika, and potatoes.
“It is the third most consumed vegetable crop after potatoes and onions.”
She explains that there are two main types of tomato varieties grown in South Africa: determinate and indeterminate varieties.
- Determinate varieties tend to be bushy, shorter in height and have a short growing season. These varieties are mainly used for outdoor field production.
“In determinate varieties, vegetative growth halts after the flowering stage, and fruit ripening occurs early and around the same time.”
- Indeterminate tomatoes grow taller, up to 2m, and have a longer growing season compared to the determinate type.
“The side shoots are pruned to induce apical growth. They require less spacing than the determinate tomatoes.”
She says the types of tomatoes grown in the country include cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, plum/Roma tomatoes, and heirlooms.
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Top planting tips
Mtamzeli-Cekiso says to grow tomatoes, it is best to start seeds in a nursery before transplanting them into the field. Seedbeds or seedling trays can be used to raise tomato seedlings.
In seedbeds, seeds should be sown when temperatures are favourable and after the frost has passed.
“Constant water supply is critical for tomato growth; however, waterlogging should be avoided.”
Nangamso Mtamzeli-Cekiso
Tomatoes are cultivated both in open fields and under protected covering.
Mtamzeli-Cekiso also recommends drip irrigation over overhead sprinkler irrigation. Drip irrigation is preferable because overhead sprinklers can wet the leaves, making the plants more susceptible to fungal diseases.
Irregular irrigation during fruit production should be avoided, as it can lead to fruit cracking, she cautions.
Soil and fertiliser
Mtamzeli-Cekiso explains that tomatoes can tolerate a wide range of soil pH, but the optimum pH range should be between 5.5 and 6.8.
She recommends sandy loam soils that are well-drained as the most suitable for growing tomatoes.
“Well-aerated soil with a minimum depth of 120 mm is required for the root system of the crop,” she says.
“Soil must be well-prepared to allow good root penetration and drainage. Soil analysis should be done to determine the pH and fertility of the soil.”
For higher yields, she advises applying fertiliser based on the recommendations from the soil analysis.
When using organic manures, she advises testing them for pH. Where the pH is low (i.e., in acidic soils), lime must be applied at least four weeks prior to planting.
“Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential, particularly in the early growth stages of the crop, as they aid in shoot and root development, respectively.”
She further notes that potassium is the most highly utilised nutrient by the plant, as it is essential for fruit quality. “It influences the size, shape, firmness, and taste of the fruit.”
Mtamzeli-Cekiso says calcium is another important nutrient for tomato production.
“In acidic soils, calcium becomes less available to the plant, and blossom-end rot is usually one of the main symptoms of calcium deficiency.” Liming acidic soils is key to preventing this.
The best provinces to grow tomatoes in South Africa include Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.
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