Question: Why do my tomatoes crack as they ripen?


Answer:  Tomatoes tend to crack when they receive irregular water. If your tomatoes 08_22 Cracking Tomatohave gone through a dry spell and you try to make up for it with frequent watering, the inside of the tomato will plump up faster than the outside can stretch and grow. As a result the outer skin of the tomato splits open or cracks.

 Tomatoes that crack are still edible.  They just won’t keep as long. You can prevent future tomatoes cracking by making sure that they receive water regularly, whether or not it rains.  Top dressing around plants with shredded cedar mulch also help maintain ground moisture levels. Finally, look for varieties that are resistant to cracking.

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