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Tomato spacing

saiwhasaiwha Posts: 14
in Fruit & veg
I've built myself a raised bed for my tomato plants this year, I was aiming for a bed that was 6'x4' but in reality it is only 71.5" x 45.5". After doing some research it seems that spacing somewhere between 18" & 24" is optimal.

So it seems I have space for 8 plants in this area (4x2), could i get away with squeezing in another column (4x3) or row (5x2) or both (5x3) or stick something else in between them like some peppers?

The tomatoes that I will be planting in this area will be San Marzano and Roma if that makes any difference.

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    The middle row would be a challenge to pick and control.. I would go for 5x2 as the edges give you more space (plant the end tomatoes near the edge).  You could probably squeeze a few peppers staggered between the tomatoes, but I think they'll get shaded out.  I under plant my tomatoes with cucumbers, which scramble around under.. and occasionally try to climb the tomatoes trellis if I don't keep an eye.  
    Utah, USA.
  • saiwhasaiwha Posts: 14
    Thanks for the reply. In hindsight making the beds 3' wide would have been a better option.

    So you would suggest planting them about 4" away from the ends and then every 16" and for the rows 10" in with a 24" gap?
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Tomato spacing entirely depends on what type of tomato it is and how you intend to prune it. Don't go by American distances, they assume a much longer season and therefore much larger plants. Roma are a determinate, meaning they make a short bush and should not be pruned, in my experience they do not need support, but will need 18"-20" between each. While San Marzano are an indeterminate and will need support up to around 8ft. If you are pruning them to a single leader they can easily go in at 8" apart, you could do a double row staggered which would get a bit more in your bed. They need to go to the "back" of the bed compared to the Roma who should be on the sunward side.

    As to growing anything under them, basil or something similarly leafy will do fine under the San Marzano but the Roma will not leave space to put anything next to them
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    What direction is your bed oriented?  I've grown Roma, and they can get huge if you let them.  If the bed is north-south.. they they'll happily grow to the east-west off the sides and into the middle.  
    Utah, USA.
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