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Key Points
Tomatoes split when they’re watered inconsistently, especially with cycles of drought followed by heavy watering.
To prevent cracking, water tomatoes evenly every 3–4 days, aiming for 1–2 inches per week.
Harvest tomatoes before they’re fully ripe and use mulch to regulate nutrients and growth speed.
After tending to your tomato plants for weeks, cracks are a common but frustrating sight. Split tomatoes are generally safe to eat, but the exposed flesh does shorten their shelf life since they are more prone to pests and bacteria. That’s why getting to the bottom of why it’s happening will allow you to enjoy your tomato bounty at your own pace.
Learn the most common reason tomatoes split on the vine (it’s actually a little surprising), plus other contributing factors.
Why Tomatoes Split on the Vine
- Inconsistent watering: The most common reason tomatoes split on the vine is rapid water fluctuations resulting from a combination of overwatering and underwatering your plants.
- Too much nitrogen: Nitrogen speeds up tomato growth, but too much of it can cause splitting.
- Over-ripening: Allowing your tomatoes to over-ripen can cause them to swell and split. This can happen on or off the vine.
4 Signs Splitting Might Happen Soon
- Small cracks are forming: Pay attention to the area of your tomatoes around their stems. If you notice any small cracks, pick and enjoy your tomatoes before they develop full-on splits.
- A rainstorm is coming: A fast and furious downpour can cause your tomatoes to soak up too much water at once, especially after a dry spell.
- The soil has dried out: If you’ve accidentally allowed your tomato plant’s soil to dry out during the tomato ripening stage, your next harvest might contain a few splits.
- The leaves and vines are growing rapidly: If your tomato plant foliage has been growing particularly fast this year, it could be a sign that there is too much nitrogen in the soil.
How to Prevent Tomato Splitting
The key to preventing your tomatoes from splitting is to provide them with a consistent water source. Both overwatering and underwatering your tomatoes can cause splits, so aim to water them every three to four days for a total of 1 to 2 inches per week during their fruiting stage.
Keep the top 2 to 3 inches of soil moist, but never soggy (especially if you are growing them in containers).
Additionally, if you notice the forecast is calling for heavy rain, consider harvesting the tomatoes that are showing some color ahead of the storm. They will ripen off the vine and will be less likely to split in the process.
It’s also a good idea to test the nitrogen content in your soil when your tomato plants get close to the fruiting stage. You can use an at-home testing kit that reveals whether there is a surplus. Adding mulch can lower the soil’s nitrogen content.
Lastly, opt to grow tomato varieties bred to have more flexible skin. Certain varieties, like Big Beef, Big Boy, and Box Car Willie, are less prone to cracking.
Frequently asked Questions
Can split tomatoes still be eaten?
Split tomatoes are generally safe to eat, especially if you catch the split early. You can cut off the split and discard it to be on the safe side. Never eat a split tomato that smells sour or contains any mold.
How do I water tomatoes to avoid splitting?
Water your tomatoes consistently to avoid splitting and aim to keep the soil moist with just about an inch or two of water each week. If you let the soil dry out completely and your plants experience a sudden overflow of water (such as during a downpour), they will be prone to splitting.
Are there tomato types that don’t crack as easily?
Some newer tomato varieties contain flexible skin bred to resist cracks. Look for varieties labeled as “split-resistant” or “crack-resistant.” Big Beef is a common variety of crack-resistant tomatoes.
Read the original article on The Spruce
