Stop Garden Tomatoes From Cracking Or Splitting With One Simple Fix

Defending tomato plants from marauding squirrels or from hungry pests like hornworms and slugs can be a full-time job. It's beyond frustrating to put in all that work just to see tomatoes begin to split themselves on the vine. Fear not, though! Because there's one simple fix for your cracking tomatoes: Consistent watering. That's because irregular watering can cause tomato splitting. 

We all love juicy tomatoes, of course, but in order to be juicy and plump, tomatoes need to gather and trap water inside. But when this happens too quickly, and the skin can't grow or stretch fast enough to accommodate the moisture, and so it leads to splits on the outside. Think of it like just like a balloon filled with too much air too quickly. Smaller cherry tomatoes can be particularly vulnerable to cracking.

Because rapid moisture absorption is the real cause of tomato splitting, extreme heat, high humidity, or even forgetting to water your plants and then watering them generously all of a sudden can cause cracking or splitting in those delicious red fruits. The effect of rainwater on plants is usually positive, but sometimes, a sudden downpour of rain can ruin a crop of tomatoes. This can be especially true if it's been dry right before the big storm. You can imagine how quickly thirsty tomatoes might absorb all that water — and how this could lead to broken skin – especially in tomato varieties where the skin is a little less elastic. Stretchy varieties like 'Jet Star' tend to split or crack less. 

While you can't control Mother Nature, you can set a consistent watering schedule to help avoid damaged tomatoes. Regular watering is the cornerstone to learning the right way to water garden tomatoes to prevent them from splitting. Baby tomato plants need water every day, but mature plants need about 1 to 1 ½ inches per week doled out in consistent intervals. 

If you overwater tomato plants, then they'll likely develop weak roots and not grow as they should. Also, pro tip: Always water the base of the plant, but never the leaves. Wet leaves can lead to blight or spotting. Of course, sudden downpours might spoil all your best efforts to keep tomatoes intact. Storms don't just cause tomato splitting — they can also sometimes break stems. If this happens, there are ways to repair a broken tomato plant.

When there's a heavy thunderstorm in the forecast and your tomatoes are almost ready to harvest, you may wish to pick the fruit early and let them ripen inside. If you find split tomatoes in your garden, it might be a good idea to go ahead and pick those cracked tomatoes early as well. Cracks increase the likelihood the tomato will rot on the vine. Keep in mind tomatoes that mature inside won't be as tasty, but the good news is you can still use them. Of course, any tomatoes that begin to smell bad or leak should be tossed immediately.