Growing your own tomatoes is not rocket science when you follow the basic tips for a good harvest. This allows you to grow delicious fruits to add color to your summer salads and other popular recipes. However, it happens that we see some split tomatoes appear in our plantations just as they are ripening, even though we thought everything was going well. We may then start to fear only diseases or harmful insects, but in reality you are facing one of the most common problems among gardeners who decide to sow tomatoes. Find out how to prevent your tomatoes from splitting in hot, humid weather, and why this problem occurs.
Looking at this aspect, one might indeed begin to believe that there is a problem, because it contrasts with the perfection of supermarket tomatoes where irregular fruits or those with the slightest defect do not usually reach the shelves. And yet, these crackles are nothing serious!
Why do tomatoes split?
Tomato bursting is linked to very fluctuating water intake. For example, if your tomato plants experience drying out over a period of time, then heavy rains, the risk of cracking becomes very high. More generally, a sudden large influx of water can do a lot of harm to your tomatoes, the flesh of which will then swell very quickly. The skin is not elastic, so it has difficulty following, which gives rise to the cracks you observe. You therefore do not have to worry that a disease has established itself in your vegetable garden and could spread to other plants.
It should be noted that tomatoes which have suffered cracking remain completely consumable. However, the flesh is more exposed here, which makes the fruit more vulnerable. Therefore, harvest the chopped tomatoes quickly so as not to give time for rot, diseases and other possible predators (wasps, earwigs, etc.) to take hold. Then, remove their split part and eat or cook them very quickly.
How to avoid splitting tomatoes? Here are 7 tips.
1) Grow more split-resistant tomato varieties
Some varieties of tomatoes have a more elastic skin and are more resistant to cracking. You can therefore replace your ‘Beefsteak’ or ‘Sweet 100’ cultivars with ‘Big Beef’ or ‘Sweet Million’ which have better resistance to splitting. Other varieties such as ‘Celebrity’, ‘Juliet’, ‘Plum Regal’ and ‘Pink Girl’ are also better prepared against fluctuations in humidity. The ‘Merveille des Marchés’ or the ‘Mexican Honey’ are also varieties to thick skin who are also less afraid of cracking. Generally, hybrid tomato varieties split much less. Do not hesitate to check the label to verify when purchasing that the chosen variety is less likely to crack.
2) The correct technique for planting
To limit growth gaps, plant deeper in spring. By making sure to bury not only the roots, but also part of the stem, you keep the roots safer from drying out.
3) Choose carefully where you plant your tomatoes
To prevent your tomatoes from splitting, the ideal is to cultivate them under cover. This in fact helps protect them from the vagaries of the weather and therefore from major periods of drought or heavy rain which could make their watering more difficult. Thanks to this solution, no more sudden changes that alter their proper development! Otherwise, you can also opt for a raised gardenthe latter allowing better soil drainage. Raised growing beds prevent the roots from becoming saturated with water. Excess water from precipitation is thus evacuated more quickly.
4) Water the tomato plants regularly without flooding too much
During the first weeks of planting, it is essential to water generously, but spaced out to encourage the plants to root deeply. This way, the roots will absorb less excess surface water after rain. And then, how do we proceed? Ideally, use drip irrigation or a watering wand and never water the foliage to limit the risk of foliar diseases. Between two waterings, never let the soil dry out completely. keep it still a little damp thanks to regular watering. In addition, water slowly and for a long time to allow water to sink to depth. Take your time: watering too quickly will remain on the surface and encourage cracking.
5) Add mulch around your tomato plants
A good layer of organic mulch (well-decomposed compost, straw or mowing residue) will allow retain moisture in the soil. This will also help prevent large fluctuations in water intake, and therefore cracking of the skin. At the end of the season, remember to turn the mulch over to help it decompose under the layer that you will add the following season.
6) A well-chosen fertilizer to avoid splitting tomatoes
A fertilizer too rich in nitrogen may cause your tomatoes to grow too quickly. With too much accelerated growth, the risk of splitting becomes very high. The choice of fertilizer is therefore a crucial point that every gardener must study. To help you, we have listed 7 natural fertilizers perfect for tomatoes.
7) Pick tomatoes early
A split fruit is more likely to rot before it even has time to ripen. Also, do not hesitate to harvest split tomatoes before they are completely ripe. They will thus be able to continue to blush after pickingeven if it means giving them a boost by ripening them in newspaper or with apples and bananas (which release a good amount of ethylene, a gas that makes fruits and vegetables ripen more quickly).