How to Water Tomato Plants in Your Garden

Overview

Tomatoes are a mainstay of many home gardens, with gardeners earnestly working toward a bountiful tomato harvest throughout the growing season. As you tend to and care for your tomato plants, ensure they have adequate water. Because tomatoes are thirsty plants requiring regular water to produce healthy tomatoes, a gardener must keep the tomatoes watered regularly and deeply throughout the growing season.

Step 1

Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the tomato plants to help conserve soil moisture. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension, mulch around tomato plants will reduce the amount of water you must provide and will ensure the plants stay more evenly moist in the soil between watering.

Step 2

Check the tomato plants every two to three days to ensure the soil is moist and the plants have enough water. Insert your finger down into the soil near the tomato plants and assess the moisture level in the soil. If the soil is dry down to the tip of your finger, provide water for the tomato plants.

Step 3

Provide water for the tomato plants when the soil is dry. Water slowly so the water has a chance to soak into the soil and not simply run off the top. Continue watering each tomato plant until the water saturates the top 6 inches of soil.