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Tomato Crop Calendar: Nashik Zone 1
May 20266 min read
Introduction
Tomato cultivation in Maharashtra follows a distinct seasonal rhythm. Understanding this calendar is essential for maximizing yield and minimizing input waste. This guide is based on our actual practices in Zone 1 of the Nashik farm.
Month-by-Month Guide
June — Land Preparation - Deep ploughing and leveling - Basal fertilizer application (FYM + NPK) - Bed formation with drip irrigation lines
July — Sowing and Nursery - Seed sowing in raised nursery beds - Protective fungicide spray - 25-30 days in nursery
August — Transplanting - Transplant 25-30 day old seedlings - Spacing: 60 by 45 cm - First drip fertigation
September — Vegetative Growth - Staking and pruning (single stem) - First flowering - Pest monitoring (whitefly, thrips)
October — Flowering and Fruit Set - Second fertigation - Hormone spray for fruit set - Disease monitoring (early blight)
November — Harvest Begins - First picking (green stage for distant markets) - Red stage for local markets - Weekly harvests begin
December — Peak Harvest - Daily picking - Quality grading - Post-harvest handling
January — Continued Harvest - Second flush picking - Yield recording - Cost analysis
February — Final Harvest - Last picking - Plant removal - Field sanitization
Key Insights
**Total cycle:** 240-270 days **Expected yield:** 25-30 tonnes per acre **Peak harvest period:** November to January **Critical pest window:** September to October
Cost per Kilogram
Our cost tracking shows that Zone 1 tomatoes cost approximately ₹12-15 per kilogram to produce, including all inputs, labor, and equipment depreciation.